Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Venatius Ikem has been disqualified from contesting for the position of State Chairman for the Cross River State Congress of the party scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020; PDP list of cleared candidates for the election shows.
In the list, which was signed by Col. Austin Akobundu, National Organizing Secretary of PDP, and dated 5th August, 2020, and obtained by Grassroot Reporters, Barr. Nkem's name was conspicuously missing, leaving Barr. Alphonsus Ogar-Eba (Governor Ayade backed candidate) as the sole candidate for the position of State Chairman.
Barr. Ikem, who was strongly backed by past leaders of the party and some National Assembly members, was tipped to emerge victorious at the election.
His disqualification may not be unconnected with efforts by the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade to make peace with warring factions of the party in the state, and probably share some positions in the state EXCO of the party.
The governor and some National Assembly members had been at daggers drawn over who should control the party. The internal crisis led to Ayade's faction inaugurating its own Exco, after the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP recognised the National Assembly members backed Exco.
The Ayade led faction had since challenged the NWC's decision in court.
See the full list of Cleared Candidates for the election:
0 Comments