C’River PDP members Ignore NWC, Say Ikem’s Era As Chair Is Over

Edith CHUKU

Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Cross River State, have shunned the position of the National Working Committee, insisting that the said suspension of the party state chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem, stands.

The PDP members bared their mind in a Whatsapp platform, while dissecting the decision of the NWC annulling Ikem’s suspension.

They noted that the era of Ikem was over and expressed their determination to foster unity, drive active engagement among party members in support of the acting state chairman, Chief Austin Edibe.

Recall that the NWC in a release on Wednesday described as null and void and of no effort, the said suspension of the PDP chairman by the State Working Committee.

In the statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, the NWC dismissed the supposed suspension of Ikem, stressing that no state working committee had the power to suspend a state party chairman and charged party members to disregard the said suspension.

In their responses to the position of the NWC, the PDP members insisted that there was no going back and pledged their support to Edibe.

Here are their responses: “we will continue to work with the acting chairman of our party in Cross River State CRS, fully committed to revitalizing and strengthening the PDP within the state.

“Our focus is on ensuring that the party remains functional, active and deeply rooted in the aspirations of the people, maybe Barr Vena will work alone while we work with the active chairman and other executives.

“A few days after Barr Vena’s removal, life and hope have returned to the party members and supporters.

“While there may be discussions about the possibility of the national leadership working with another individual, we remain steadfast in our responsibility to support at the state level.

“The acting chairman, we are determined to foster unity, drive active engagement among party members.”

“No going back on this issue. The party belongs to all of us. Any attempt to force an unwilling horse to drink, you either end up drowning the horse or the two of you will drown. I stand with the acting state chairman.”

“This is no longer funny. Members of Cross River PDP are strongly behind Chief Edibe as the acting state chairman. Where were the national when the candidates of the so-called local government election took place and their very money was stolen by the former chairman. They were not given any support for the election.”

“I hope someone will respond to this illegitimate NWC squarely. They cannot give what they do not have.”

“Please you guys should not panic, some failed people had gone to waste money.. Vena is gone and gone forever.”

“So, is it true that Wike wants to bury our hope in the PDP? We must decide our fate as a people and not allow an outsider to use us as a tool for their selfish political interest.”

“Mr Vena or what so ever they may call you, please our dear party PDP don’t need you anymore.”