Barring any last minute political obstacles, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Venatius Ikem, is set to become the State Chairman of the PDP in Cross River State as the party holds her state congress this Saturday, September 18, 2021.
Ikem’s all clear coast signal is coming on the heels of the voluntary withdrawal of former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, CRSHA, Francis Busam Adah, from the chairmanship race.
Adah in a widely circulated signed statement dated September 13, 2021, formally informed “… ever patriotic members of our great party, the PDP in CRS, and my teaming supporters of my decision to withdraw from the race to contest for the post of Chairmanship at the forthcoming State Congress slated for Saturday, 18th September, 2021 in Calabar.” He added that, the decision to withdraw was “…another very difficult political decision and sacrifice I have to take, being the outcome of intensive internal democratic conflict resolution mechanism of the PDP.”
While he particularly mentioned Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, senator representing CR North Senatorial District and party chieftain, Emmanuel Ibeshi for midwifing the concensus process, it has subtly emerged that the two men, alongside Peter Akpanke, Kjay Jedy-Agba, and Moses Ucheche, former Leader of the CRSHA, had a critical meeting with Ikem and Adah in Abuja, where truth was spoken to them. The meeting is believed to have become necessary after Adah suddenly emerged as a contestant for the position. Insinuations were bandied around that he was a sponsored front for state governor, Ben Ayade’s attempt to undermine the party’s state congress. Adah distanced himself from this rumour, promptly issuing a press statement to that effect before the negotiations that culminated in his stepping aside.
CLEAR COAST FOR IKEM!
Adah’s withdrawal will make Saturday’s PDP state congress one where Ikem mounts the saddle, unopposed. His ascension to this position and his relentless disagreement with Ayade, may set the stage for a political royal rumble that will lead up to the 2023 elections. A source inside the PDP maintained to us that for the party’s opposition status in the state now, “a firm and dogged tiger like Vena Ikem, is the round peg in the round hole.” It is also believed that his ability to say it as it is at all times, is a posture that will help confront the perceived internal injustices that have over the years benefitted nitwits over and above those who have diligently worked for the party.
Again, Peter Akpanke, Kjay Jedy-Agba, Moses Ucheche, Emmanuel Ibeshi, Jarigbe Agom, Vena Ikem and Frank Adah, are pointing to a political direction for the PDP, North of Cross River, a direction where sincere political dialogue rather than internecine high handedness, is employed in the resolution of political conflicts of interest. The party in North of CR is setting a positive pace that we hope will yield further benefits down the road.
