The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has declared that former Governor Senator Liyel Imoke, Senator Gershom Bassey, and other chieftains who recently aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are no longer considered members of the PDP.
The development follows the inaugural coalition meeting held in Calabar on Thursday, where Senator Imoke led hundreds of his supporters and addressed attendees on building a new generation of political leaders through the ADC platform.
All participants at the meeting reportedly adopted a motion to transition the coalition into the ADC, solidifying their shift from the PDP.
Reacting to the event, PDP State Chairman, Venatius Ikem, in an interview with *PUO Reports*, stated that the party will not accommodate individuals undermining its structure.
“We can’t tolerate members who are working against the party’s interests,” Ikem said. “Those who have defected to ADC have shown where their loyalties lie, and we won’t hesitate to slam the door on them.”
He criticized the defectors for abandoning the platform that had significantly advanced their political careers, suggesting their moves were triggered by recent electoral defeats. Ikem described them as political opportunists and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s recent remark referring to ADC leaders as “internally displaced politicians.”
Despite the defections, the PDP chairman expressed optimism about the party’s grassroots strength, particularly in the northern senatorial district, stating that the PDP remains the most structured and widely accepted political force in the state.
“As we approach the next general elections, we are confident in our ability to retain our base and attract new supporters,” he added.
With political realignments intensifying in Cross River, analysts note that the PDP’s cohesion and strategic decisions in the coming months will be critical to its electoral fortunes.
