Crises deepen as PDP declares Cross River Chairman’s suspension null and void

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the reported suspension of its Cross River State Chairman, Venatius Ikem, as baseless and without effect.

The alleged suspension, dated November 15 and signed by 14 members of the State Working Committee, sparked tensions within the party. Ikem, in his response, warned of potential repercussions for the PDP if the purported removal was upheld.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, clarified that the suspension was “null and void” and reaffirmed Ikem’s position as the party’s legitimate state chairman.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Cross River State Chapter of our Party, Venatius Ikem.

“The NWC declares the said suspension as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great Party. For the avoidance of doubt, no State Working Committee has the power whatsoever to suspend a State Chairman without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP.

“The NWC states that Barr. Venatius Ikem remains the Chairman of the Cross River State Chapter of the PDP and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our Party in Cross River State and the nation to disregard the purported suspension.

“The NWC calls on all party members in Cross River State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party and the people.”