SINKING SHIP: CRISIS ROCKS CROSS RIVER PDP AS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CAUCUS PLOTS APC MOVE OVER GOV. BEN AYADE HIGH-HANDEDNESS

There are indications that all is not well in Cross River State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over claims by the state’s National Assembly Caucus of highhandedness and non-inclusive congresses by Governor Ben Ayade.

The lawmakers from the state in a letter to the National Chairman of the PDP dated October 12, 2017 warned that unless something urgently is done to remedy the situation, the party stands a poor chance in the 2019 elections.

The letter signed by nine legislators led by Senator Rose Oko (Cross River North) accused the governor of hijacking the state congresses to the exclusion of stakeholders.

“We bring to your attention the state of the structure of the PDP in Cross River State. The 2016 party congresses ostensibly saw the election of new officials for the state, local government area and ward executive officers for the party. There was however an aberration in the manner the congresses were done, as it excluded party stakeholders and elders across the state that became tantamount to a selection rather than an election. The implication of this is that there is now a general apathy (sic) and despondency among party members in the state, most of whom have felt the need to move out of the party to other parties, and indeed have done so,” the petition reads.

The aggrieved lawmakers stated that despite several meetings with the governor and which had in attendance Sen. Ben Obi, National Secretary of the PDP, former Governor Liyel Imoke and the three senators from the state, Ayade had remained unmoved to make the process more inclusive and transparent.

According to them, Senator Owan Enoh decamped to the APC for the non-inclusive congress, fearing that if the situation is not addressed, members of the party could leave for other parties.

The petition was signed by Senator Rose Oko, Senator Gershom Bassey, Hon. Ayibe Ngoro, Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa, and Hon. Daniel Asuquo.

Others include, Hon. Eja Mbora, Hon. Jarigbe Agom, Hon. Essien Ayi and Hon. Legor Idagbo.