BREAKING.... C' RIver PDP Bigwigs In Crucial Meeting With NWC Over Leadership Crisis 

BREAKING

C' RIver PDP Crisis:
NWC Fixes Third Meeting With  Bigwigs  Over Vena

Abdul SULE (Abuja)

CROSS River State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders are set for a third round of meeting  with  the National Working Committee (NWC)  aimed at ensuring a lasting solution to the leadership crisis rocking the party at the state level.

Recall that the SWC had suspended the state Chairman of the party, Bar Venatius Ikem, a couple of weeks ago while Austine Edibe, Vice Chairman North was elevated to act as the State Chairman.

 However, the National Working Committee faulted the procedures adopted in suspending Vena, stressing that no state organ of the party can suspend a state chairman without recourse to the NWC.

Even at that, Ikem had reportedly approached the court seeking for nullification of the suspension on the grounds that processes adopted violated the party's constitution in resolving international disputes and change of leadership.

Feelers from the earlier meeting between the SWC and NWC two weeks ago disclosed that the party leadership in the state were instructed to revisit the process and ensure strict compliance with established procedures involved in suspending a state chairman.

Subsequently, the State Working Committee retraced its earlier decision and elected Chief Dennis Nkiri, as acting chairman, while Edibe reverted to his earlier schedule  as well as empowered the disciplinary committee to investigate Vena on the alleged gross misconduct.

A reliable source close to the  committee revealed that Vena turned down the invitation to appear before them, disclosing that the committee has submitted its report to national leadership and awaiting its outcome.

Determined to find a permanent solution to the imbroglio in the state, the NWC again summoned the state PDP stakeholders to Abuja for a meeting.

At the meeting held yesterday, December 12, 2024, THE BEAGLE NEWS gathered that some stakeholders spoke in unison on the need for reorganisation of the party at this nick of time and therefore imperative for Vena to step down for the party to move forward.

Some stakeholders stated emphatically that members have lost confidence in the chairman and can no longer work with him.

Feelers from the meeting revealed that the stakeholders and NWC could not reach an agreement on the way forward and rather rescheduled another meeting with a few critical stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the leadership imbroglio.

Expected at the next meeting include  former Governor Sen. Liyel Imoke, Senator Jarigbe, Prof Sandy Onor, and Gershom Bassey.

 THE BEAGLE NEWS has it on good authourity that the national leadership of PDP are exploring viable options for soft landing for Vena in appreciation of his contributions and role in steering the party through turbulent times, especially during the last general elections.

Some top party leaders are also said to be persuading Venatius Ikem to take a bow by resigning honourably as chairman to douse rising tension and pave the way for peace to reign.

A source close to Vena confided in THE BEAGLE NEWS that, at the meeting, it was made clear that the State Working Committee lacks the power to discipline a NEC member

The source said if stakeholders have lost confidence in the chairman, then they have to persuade the chairman to step down. 

NWC is expected to fix a date to meet with a few leaders from Cross River and the chairman to agree on the way forward.