Venatius Ikem, PDP Cross State Chairman
Venatius Ikem assumes office as Cross River PDP Chairman
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Former National Publicity Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Venatius Ikem has assumed office as the party leader in Cross River State.
He emerged chairman following a rescheduled state Congress which took place over a week ago.
He was sworn into office alongside 38 other executive officers by Paul Ebiala, a notary public and former chairman of the Calabar Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association.
Speaking during the swearing in, former governor of the state and member of the Board of Trustees of the party Donald Duke commended the outgoing caretaker Committee for doing a good job.
He said the party has never been in opposition and likened the recent defections from the party to an agent who steals the property of the principal.
“The mandate was given to the PDP and the offices – governor, senator and House of Reps are only agents of the party so what you have is where an agent steals the property of the principal”, he said.
He tasked the new executive to be exceedingly transparent in their dealings.
He maintained that the only way to keep the party together and avoid acrimony is through transparency and warned elders of the party not to middle the waters by imposing candidates as they cannot afford that luxury.
Also speaking, the outgone caretaker Committee Chairman of the party, Efiok Cobham said the march to reclaim the state in 2023 has commenced.
He said the party is stronger and more determined than ever with the calibre of the new executive.
On his part, Venatius Ikem the new chairman of the party said they will do everything to further democratize the processes in the party.
He said the era of imposition of candidates is gone as the party cannot survive with imposition.
