The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State is facing a deepening internal crisis following a dispute over the postponement of its state congress. The conflict has pitted the state chairman, Venatius Ikem, against some national and state-level stakeholders, further factionalizing the party.1
Key points of the crisis:
- Conflicting Directives: The national leadership of the party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Hon.2 Debo Ologunagba, announced the postponement of the state congress, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025. This was reportedly done through an unsigned press release.
- State Chairman’s Rejection: In a swift response, the Cross River State PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem, vehemently rejected the postponement. He insisted that the congress would hold as scheduled, arguing that the National Working Committee (NWC) lacks the constitutional authority to overrule a decision made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to fix the date.3
- Accusations of Power Abuse: Ikem has accused some national leaders and former stakeholders of attempting to create an “artificial crisis” to impose their preferred candidates on the state chapter.4 He described the move as an “illegal attempt to subvert democratic processes.”
- Dissolution of State Executive: Adding to the confusion, the national leadership had earlier directed a South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee to take control of the state chapter, claiming the tenure of the current executive had expired.5 Ikem, however, countered this, stating that his executive was inaugurated on September 29, 2021, and its tenure is valid until September 29, 2025.6
- Factionalism: The current dispute is a continuation of long-standing internal issues within the Cross River PDP.7 The party has been grappling with multiple factions, with some members accusing Ikem of running the party like a “personal empire” and lacking transparency.8
The crisis highlights the fragile state of the PDP in Cross River, a state it once dominated. As the party attempts to rebuild its structures ahead of future elections, the deepening internal wrangling poses a significant threat to its unity and chances of regaining power.
