Cross River PDP Members Protest Against Reinstatement of Ousted Chairman

Members of the Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a protest on Monday at the party’s secretariat, opposing alleged plans to reinstate the ousted state chairman, Mr. Venatius Ikem.

The protest, reportedly carried out by ward and local government chapters of the PDP across the state, featured party members brandishing placards with various inscriptions.

They warned of mass defection if Mr. Ikem is reinstated.

Some of the placards bore messages such as “Ikem must go”, “All ward and local government chapters reject Vena”, and “The decision of the Cross River State Working Committee (SWC) is the best for the party.”

Speaking during the protest, the Calabar Municipality Chairman, Mr. Bassey Asuquo, described the removal of Ikem as a positive step for the party.

He accused the ousted chairman of stagnating the PDP’s growth in the state.

“We, the chapter leadership across the state, support anything—including the removal of anyone—that will enable the party grow,” Asuquo said.

“The national leadership should let Ikem go for the good of PDP in Cross River. If Ikem is not removed, we will leave the party for him.”

In response, the party’s Deputy State Chairman, Chief Dennis Nkiri, who received the protesters, assured them that the party’s leadership would prioritize the best interests of the PDP.

Similarly, the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Mike Ojisi, lent his voice to the protesters’ grievances, stating, “We want Jonah to be removed from the boat for it not to sink.”

The protest follows the decision of the Cross River State Working Committee (SWC), which, two weeks ago, removed Ikem over allegations of financial misappropriation, high-handedness, and ineptitude.

However, Mr. Ikem has dismissed his removal as unconstitutional and threatened to take legal action against the party.