Protesters gathered at the Peoples Democratic Party PDP secretariat in Cross River State on Monday to express their opposition to an alleged plan to reinstate the ousted state chairman, Venatius Ikem. The protest, organized by ward and local government chapters of the party across the state, saw members carrying placards with various inscriptions, including "Ikem must go" and "All wards and local governments chapters reject Vena". The protesters threatened to leave the party if Ikem were reinstated.
The protest was led by Mr. Bassey Asuquo, chairman of the Calabar Municipality chapter. He emphasized that Ikem's removal was in the best interest of the party, stating that his leadership had stagnated the growth of the party in Cross River. Asuquo added, "We are in support of any decision, including the removal of anyone, that will make the party grow." He urged the national leadership of the PDP to uphold the decision to remove Ikem for the good of the party in the state.
The protestors also received support from Mr. Mike Ojisi, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, who compared Ikem to a "Jonah" who needed to be removed to prevent the party from sinking.
Two weeks earlier, the Cross River State Working Committee SWC of the PDP had removed Ikem over allegations of financial mismanagement, high-handedness, and ineptitude. In response, Ikem has described his removal as unconstitutional and threatened legal action to challenge the decision.
