By Jonathan Ugbal
The National Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a 22-man campaign council and election management team for the February 26, 2022 legislative by-election in Cross River State.
Two seats – the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency and the Akpabuyo State constituency positions are up for grabs.
And, a statement issued on Tuesday by the national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba named the Rivers and Akwa Ibom States Governors, Nyesom Wike and Udom Emmanuel as chairman and co chairman respectively.
Governor Wike’s inclusion will strike a nerve with the Ben Ayade’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State.
The parties have been at loggerhead for nearly two years. Aides of Mr. Ayade allege that Mr. Wike funded the crisis that led to the departure of the Governor from the PDP.
The tension rose on Saturday after security operatives tried unsuccessfully to prevent the PDP from holding it’s centralised rally to kick of it’s campaigns last week Saturday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the APC Chairman in Cross River, Barr. Alphonsus Eba declared Mr. Wike a security threat to the peace of the State.
Meanwhile, the national vice chairman, south – south, Chief Dan Orbih is to serve as secretary of the council which also has two former Governors of Cross River State, Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke as members.
Others include the minority leader of the ninth House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Chairman of the party in Cross River, Venatius Ikem and several Senators, House of Representatives members, State lawmakers and top members of the party from the south – south region.
Read the full statement below…
February 22, 2022
Press Statement
PDP Constitutes Campaign Council for Cross River Bye-Elections
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the nomination of the following party members as members of the National Campaign Council/Election Management Team for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-elections scheduled for saturday, February 26, 2022 in Cross River State
The members of the committee are;
1. H.E Chief Nyesom Wike – Chairman
2. H.E Emmanuel Udom – Co. Chairman
3. Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu – Member
4. H.E Sen. Liyel Imoke – Member
5. H.E Donald Duke – Member
6. Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe – Member
7. Rt. Hon. Patrick Nathan Ifon – Member
8. Chief Ferdinand Alabraba – Member
9. Sen. Gershom Bassey – Member
10. Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor – Member
11. Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe – Member
12. Hon. Daniel Asuquo – Member
13. Hon. Essien Ekpenyong – Member
14. Hon. Friday Okpeche – Member
15. Hon. Effa Esua – Member
16. Hon. Aniekan Akpan – Member
17. Hon. Solomon E. Agwana – Member
18. Hon. Ikem Venatius Ayabie – Member
19. Hon. Barr. Kingsley Esiso – Member
20. Dr. Tony Aziegbemi – Member
21. Amb. Desmond Akawor – Member
22. Chief Dan Orbih – Secretary
“The Directorate of Organization and Mobilization shall serve as Secretariat for the Council.”
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary