The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has deepened as the state chairman, Venatius Ikem, firmly rejected attempts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to influence the party’s leadership.
Ikem, speaking on Friday, vowed that Wike would not determine who becomes the next PDP state chairman, stressing that Cross River’s party structures remain independent.
“Wike is not from Cross River State. Wike does not produce chairmen in Cross River State,” Ikem declared while dismissing reports of external interference.
His remarks followed a communiqué by the Cross River South Senatorial District PDP caucus, which condemned the Abuja meeting of Wike’s loyalists pushing for the extension of the incumbent chairman’s tenure.
Similarly, the PDP caucus of the Central Senatorial District faulted Wike’s alleged interference, describing him as acting more like a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). At its stakeholders’ meeting, the caucus endorsed Tim Ekawu as its candidate for the September 27, 2025, congress.
Ikem insisted that the party’s next leadership would be chosen through statutory processes, not through external influence, emphasizing that due process will prevail.
The development underscores a widening rift within the PDP ahead of its crucial state congress, raising questions about Wike’s growing influence within the party nationally.
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