A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has declared that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is no longer recognized as a member of the party and therefore lacks the authority to influence its affairs.
Factional Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, Bassey Eko Ewa, made this known in Calabar while reacting to controversies surrounding the recent state congress that produced the Venatius Ikem-led executive.
Ewa, a former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, alleged that Wike, in collaboration with the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, supported the disputed congress held two weeks ago. He further accused the FCT Minister of backing the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor.
“Wike is an outsider. We cannot allow someone who is no longer part of the PDP to dictate what happens in Cross River State,” Ewa stated.
He criticized what he described as a lack of accountability among some elected representatives from the state, attributing poor governance and decaying infrastructure to wrong leadership choices in the past.
Ewa also condemned the frequent defection of elected officials, noting that it weakens party structures. He urged politicians to emulate President Bola Tinubu, who, according to him, remained in opposition for years without changing parties until he became President.
Addressing speculations that he and some associates had joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ewa admitted that while some members had previously considered alternative platforms, they had now resolved to rebuild and strengthen the PDP.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the party, saying, “Our constitution prescribes how to leave the party. We have been in PDP since 1998 and remain committed to its ideals.”
