C'River PDP South Caucus Kicks Against Ikem's Endorsement For Second Term, Backs Ekawu for September 27 Congress
Bassey BASSEY
Cross River chapter of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) seems to be heading for a make or mar state congress as the Southern Senatorial caucus have kicked against call for the extension of tenure of the Barr. Venatius Ikem-led executive.
The Caucus in a meeting held at AdSiut Hotel in Calabar on Tuesday, September 2, 2015, reaffirmed its commitment to ensure an all-inclusive and rancour-free State Congress scheduled for September 27, 2025.
Recall that the state's caucus of the party held a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, August 31, 2025 and endorsed Barr. Venatius Ikem-led SWC for Second term in Office. The caucus also endorsed the local government executives to continue in office for another term.
But in a swift reaction, the Southern Senatorial district caucus strongly condemned the Abuja State Caucus meeting and vowed to present a formidable front at the forthcoming State Congress.
The resolution signed by the Vice Chairman/ Chairman, who signed by Hon. Asuquo Ekpo, and on behalf of other caucus members, said the meeting was convened in line with PDP Constitution which empowers them under Section 20 (2 & 3) of the 2017 Constitution of the Party (as amended) to meet and deliberate on urgent and important political developments affecting both the Senatorial District and Cross River State at large.
The meeting, which was presided over by the State Vice Chairman (South), had in attendance the State Deputy Chairman of the Party, Ntufam Denis Nkiri; State Asst. Publicity Secretary of the Party, Hon. Paul Agbo, Her Excellency, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo; former State Chairman, Ntufam Ekpo Okon; former National Exco member, Pastor Ewa Effiom Ewa-Henshaw, Barrister Edem Ekong, Mba Ukweni SAN, Elder Bassey Ekefre, Dr Joseph Bassey; as well as 15 elders of the party from the the senatorial district, five of whom were women.
The resolutions read in part: "The southern senatorial district caucus strongly condemned the factional state caucus meeting held in Abuja on August 31st, 2025, where there was a call for the extension of the tenure of the Barr. Venatius Ikem-led Executive, a leadership which is riddled with all forms of conflict and divisive tendencies.
"The Caucus commended the National Woman Leader, Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, and noted that her bold and decisive steps is what the party needs at this time to stabilize the PDP in the State and resist further divisions.
"The Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to ensure an all-inclusive and rancour-free State Congress scheduled for September 27, 2025.
"In line with the national template and resolution of the CRS Special Stakeholders meeting of 29th August, 2025, the caucus adopted the existing state party offices allocated to the southern senatorial district.
"The Caucus resolved to present a united and formidable front at the forthcoming State Congress and recalled the unfortunate experiences of 2023 when the party lost in the South.
"Consequently, the caucus directed all local government areas in the district to consult widely and put forward their most competent representatives for the 27th September, 2025 elective congress.
"The Caucus further reaffirmed its commitment to engage with different LGAs, with a view to accommodating or realigning the zoning as the circumstances may require," it concluded.
However, THE BEAGLES NEWS has it on good authourity that the Southern caucus is strongly behind the chairmanship aspirant of Bar Tim Ekawu.
While Ekawu hails from Bekwarra local government, the incumbent state chairman, Venatius Ikem, comes from Obudu local government area all in the northern senatorial district.
