The 18 local government areas chairmen of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River have expressed their supports for the re-election of Mr Venatius Ikem as the state chairman of the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the chairmen made their position known at a news conference after their meeting in Calabar on Wednesday.
Mr Odidi Achom, the chairman of the chapter, noted that aside from the issue of competency, re-election of Ikem would ensure stability in the party in the state.
He said that Ikem had displayed an uncommon level of leadership as well and steered party’s affairs in the state creditably well even as an opposition.
According to him, “we are aware of the various interests that have been shown by different blocs on the issue of chairmanship of the party in Cross River, but for us, we are in full support of Ikem’s continuity.
“Firstly, he is competent and has done very well since he assumed leadership of the party about four years ago and we are in full support of him continuing with the job.
“Our meeting today is to put the house in order before the Sept. 27 congress. We consulted widely and arrived at the decision that he (Ikem) should continue.
“We have found him worthy and transparency and also wish to ensure stability and unity in our party ahead of the 2027 general elections,’’ he said.
On his part, the secretary of the chairmen, Mr Obia Ikika, said that they have enjoyed a good working relationship with Ikem and wish to continue in that stead.
“We understand that there is a contest, but we are not taking them for granted. All we are doing is to avoid rancor in the party.
“So, we aligned ourselves with the decision taken by the caucus leadership of the party as regards the continuity of the present State Working Committee (SWC) led by Venatius Ikem,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that the caucus of state leadership of the PDP had made the decisions for the Ikem-led SWC to continue in office for another term.
However, some leadership in the southern and central senatorial districts of the state had at different meetings opposed the decision of the state leaders.
NAN reports that the congress to enthrone new leadership of the party at the state level had been scheduled for Sept. 27. (NAN)