The Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formed a 20-member committee tasked with overseeing the planning and coordination of its forthcoming congress.
State chairman Venatius Ikem announced this development in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Thursday, confirming that the state congress is scheduled for September 27.
Zana Akpagu, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Calabar, has been appointed as the chairman of the committee, with Hellen Bocco serving as secretary.
Ikem emphasized that the committee’s responsibilities include ensuring a credible, transparent, and harmonious congress that will revitalize the party and prepare it for future challenges.
The PDP has been navigating internal discussions regarding the retention of the state working committee (SWC) led by Ikem. While the state caucus advocates for maintaining the SWC to promote unity and prevent conflict, some leaders from the Central and Southern senatorial districts hold differing views.
Recently, however, the 18 chairpersons of the local government areas endorsed the reelection of the SWC. Odili Achom, the chairman of these chairpersons, praised Ikem for demonstrating exceptional leadership and effectively guiding the party’s operations in the state.
“We recognize the diverse interests represented by various factions concerning the chairmanship in Cross River, but we wholeheartedly support Ikem’s continued leadership,” Achom stated. “He has proven his competence and has performed admirably since assuming the party’s leadership nearly four years ago, and we are fully behind him in steering the PDP in Cross River.”
(NAN)
