By Ushang Ewa
A chairmanship candidate for the August 8th state congress elections of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, Venatius Ikem has dismissed claims that the two factions in the party have reached a compromise in sharing the party positions.
Ikem, in a statement on Monday said that nothing of such had happened and urged delegates and party faithful to remain resolute.
“Let me use this medium to disabuse our gallant delegates, members of our great party and indeed the general public that the purported list of PDP state Exco positions being bandied around as a proposal before the NASS members and the Governor is nothing but a product of someone’s fertile imagination only.
“The NASS members have not been informed or in any other way contacted for any discussion based on that imaginary proposal except as seen on social media platforms by everyone else.
“We the #TeamAuthentic contestants remain resolutely behind the NASS members in our resolve to take the struggle for the emancipation of CRS to it’s logical conclusion at the State Party congress on the 8th of August as scheduled.
“Let our supporters, therefore, not be distracted by the machinations of those who are bent on frustrating our March towards liberation with unfounded speculations,” Ikem wrote, adding that the delegates should “stay posted for any developments.”
Ikem, who first declared his intention to contest is said to be backed by the National Assembly members in the state excluding Legor Idagbo, the lawmaker representing Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency.
Old timers and a former Governor as well as the national secretariat is said to be behind his push while the Governor, Benedict Ayade is said to prefer Alphonsus Ogar, the Director General of the state’s Bureau for Public Private Partnership.