A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State has said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is no longer recognised as a member of the party and therefore cannot influence its affairs.
Factional Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Bassey Eko Ewa, stated this in Calabar while reacting to recent controversies over the conduct of the state congress that produced the Venatius Ikem-led executive.
Ewa, a former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, alleged that Wike, in collaboration with the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, supported the disputed congress held two weeks ago.
He also claimed Wike backed the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor.
“Wike is an outsider. We cannot allow someone who is no longer part of the PDP to dictate what happens in Cross River State,” Ewa said.
He criticised what he described as a lack of accountability among some elected representatives from the state and blamed poor governance and infrastructure decay on wrong leadership choices made in the past.
Ewa also condemned the frequent defection of elected officials, saying it weakens party structures. He urged politicians to emulate President Bola Tinubu, who, according to him, remained in opposition for years without switching parties until he became President.
On claims that he and some associates had joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Ewa admitted that while some members had explored other options in the past, they have now resolved to rebuild the PDP.
He reaffirmed commitment to the PDP, stressing, “Our constitution prescribes how to leave the party. We have been in PDP since 1998 and remain committed to its ideals.”
