Former Cross River PDP chair doubts party’s 2027 chances

The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has questioned the opposition party’s capability to problem the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) within the 2027 basic elections, saying its political constructions have turn out to be fragmented and directionless.

Mr Ikem mentioned the PDP lacked the organisational cohesion and nationwide management required to win elections, significantly towards an incumbent authorities, explaining that distinguished celebration figures have been pursuing separate political pursuits somewhat than constructing a united opposition.

He made the remarks throughout an interview with ARISE News, monitored by PREMIUM TIMES, on Thursday whereas explaining his resolution to defect to the APC.

Mr Ikem mentioned the party’s distinguished figures, together with former governors and senators, have been scattered throughout completely different political camps, making it troublesome to construct a formidable opposition able to defeating the APC.

“I see an incumbent who is doing well, and I see our own structures, which are completely dissipated in multiple directions. I mean, you find the former governors here and there, former senators all over the place. And if you tell me that we have a structure that will win elections, I would think that you will be performing a miracle,” he mentioned.

He additionally questioned the visibility of the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, Sandy Onor, throughout the celebration, arguing that the absence of sustained political actions had additional weakened its mobilisation efforts in Cross River.

“I’ve never, I mean, my friend, Professor Sandy Onor is the presidential candidate of the party. But as you know, he’s not been visible anywhere to carry out any activities. And we are just floating, so to speak, in this state,” he mentioned.

Mr Onor is the 2027 presidential candidate of the PDP faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The former celebration chairman mentioned his political expertise made it troublesome to stay in an organisation with no clear technique for electoral success.

He mentioned the PDP, in its current situation, seemed to be going by political motions with no sensible prospect of successful the following elections.

“And so when you look at the entire contraption as the PDP is now, it’s, with my kind of experience, I come from a very vast experience in politics, as you must know, it becomes difficult for you to hang in there for the sake of hanging in, because you know clearly that the results of the next elections would be either by magic, that they would be in your favour, or you are just going through the motions,” he mentioned.

He added that he might not stay within the celebration with no affordable expectation of electoral success.

“And I think that at this stage, and with my experience, I cannot go through the motions without expecting a result,” he mentioned.

Background

Mr Ikem’s criticism follows his resignation as Cross River PDP chairman on 19 October after 5 years within the place.

READ ALSO: PDP state chairpersons’ leader alleges intimidation, harassment of candidates by APC, governor in Ebonyi

In his resignation letter, he cited the party’s inside divisions, lack of management coherence and lack of ability to pursue a united political course as causes for his resolution.

He subsequently defected to the APC, citing the party’s political course and his evaluation of the incumbent administration.

His remarks come amid the PDP’s extended nationwide management disaster, which has been marked by factional disputes, defections by distinguished politicians and uncertainty over its capability to mount a robust problem within the 2027 elections.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported extensively on the disaster, together with the party’s inside management battles, mass defections and the institutional challenges threatening its electoral prospects.