Fmr. Nat’l Publicity Secretary PDP emerges Chairman in Cross River

Mr. Venatius Ikem, former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday emerged the Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of the party.

Ikem was chosen by consensus during the party’s State Delegates’ Congress held in Calabar.

The Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Mr. Okey Aroh, who announced Ikem as consensus chairman also said that 38 other members of the Executive Committee of State Chapter were returned unopposed.

He commended members of the party in the State for their unity of purpose by ensuring a rancor-free exercise.

He assured all those who sacrificed their personal ambition for the unity of the party that posterity would reward them.

“We want to form a united party moving forward. For those who accepted to step down, I appreciate you.

‘I thank all those who made it possible to have an affirmative Congress as against a rancorous Congress, ” he said.

Addressing the Congress, Ikem said his emergence would bring back vigor into the party in the state.

He said that during the formative stage of PDP in 1998, nobody expected the party to ever be called opposition in the State.

“Today, it is the reality that stars all of us in the face, but we are here to correct that mistake, ” he said.

He added that he had made up his mind not to disappoint the party moving forward.

“I will work had to reconcile all parties and reunite the party in readiness for 2023, ” he said.

Mr. Effiok Cobham, immediate past Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the chapter, thanked the party faithful in the State for remaining steadfast despite the defection of Gov. Ben Ayade to the APC.

According to him, despite the movement of the governor to the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP remains very strong with three Senators and five members of the House of Representatives.

“So, the focus now is on winning back our mandate come 2023, ” he said.

He thanked the party members for giving them the opportunity to serve out the three months successfully despite challenges.