By Kelvin Obambon
Chapter Chairmen Forum of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River has backed the suspension of Barr. Venatius Ikem as State Chairman of the party. Ikem was earlier suspended by the state executive committee of PDP on Friday November 15, 2024.
Addressing a press conference later on the same day, the Chapter Chairmen of PDP in the 18 local government areas of the state, who converged at the party secretariat, Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar, said they were firmly behind the decision of the state exco to suspend the Chairman.
According to the Forum, the PDP under Barr. Venatius Ikem, lacked leadership direction, and on that basis “the state executive committee comprising of the state working committee and the 18 Chapter Chairmen of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party, confirmed the suspension of our state Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem for lack of leadership direction, misappropriation of party funds and disregard for higher leadership and authority that makes for supremacy of the party.”
“We are here as the Chapter Chairmen Forum of PDP to state categorically that we cannot leave our party to die. Our sacrifices for over four years and some months now, is to see how we can sustain this party, how we can rebuild this party after we lost some of our leaders such as the former governor of our state and other critical stakeholders.
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“As chairmen of our party who automatically are caucus in our various local government areas, we put it upon ourselves to see the way which we can drive this process of rebuilding and bringing back out party. One person cannot drag us behind at every given time. We know some of our leaders are tired because of this direction of leadership. We have come as a forum to reaffirm the decision of the state executive committee, that today being the 15th of November, 2024, the State Chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem is being suspended and a Acting Chairman has been appointed to take the affairs of our party to the level that we all desire.
“PDP has been the party in Cross River but due to the poor leadership of the head of the party, we are where we are. We know all of you are aware of what we are passing through. We want to remove that firewood that is bringing that smoke and see how light will come to this party. Because of that lack of leadership direction we lost our 2023 general elections to the level at which a lot of leaders have defected. Our Chairman lacks understanding. Our Chairman lacks the charisma of carrying everybody along. Our Chairman lacks advice. He refused to understand that at any given point, leadership is to carry those who are your subordinate along.
“Our party is an institution that we all know. It’s a family, and as a family in Cross River we don’t want to lag behind as other states are striving seriously to continue to rebuild the party towards 2027. We are firm in our stake as critical stakeholders in our various local government areas. As opposition party that we are today we don’t want to take chances. We want to work hard to see how we can be in power in 2027 for the betterment of our people and for our great state, Cross River.”
The Forum added that consequent upon the suspension of Barr. Venatius Ikem, “the Vice Chairman, North, Chief Austin Edibe, who is from the same Zone/Area with the suspended Chairman as enshrined in Article 45 of the Constitution of the People’s Democratic Party, 2017 as amended and he shall assume duties of the Acting Chairman until a new Chairman is elected.”
Members of the Forum in attendance included Chief Igwe Godwin Abeng, Chapter Chairman of Obubra and Chairman of the Forum; Orok Bassey Duke, Chapter Chairman Odukpani; Chief Felix Offiong, Chapter Chairman of Calabar South; Odidi Emmanuel, Chapter Chairman of Ogoja; Victor Bassey, Chapter Chairman of Abi.
Others were Julius Eyam, Chapter Chairman of Ikom; Hon. David Ogbule, Chapter Chairman Bekwarra; Ayang David Ayang, Chapter Chairman Etung; Hon. Eji Friday, Chapter Chairman Yala; Fabian Patrick, Chapter Chairman Boki; Bassey Asuquo, Chapter Chairman Calabar Municipality; among others.