By Joseph Obung, Blueprint Newspaper
The Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Barr Vena Ikem, has said his party is still paying rent for its former State secretariat, which was forcefully taken over by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) soon as Governor Ben Ayade defected to APC on May 20, 2021.
The property in question, situated along the Murtala Mohammed Way Calabar, was occupied by the PDP for years until 2021 when the APC dramatically took it over; which caused the opposition PDP to seek redress in court. The court is yet to adjudicate on the matter.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in Calabar, Barr. Ikem said the landlady still recognized PDP as her legal tenant and accepts rent renewals from them.
Ikem said although his party was now comfortable at their new secretariat on Mary Slessor Road, he was convinced the court would do Justice in the case.
“The matter is still in court. The important thing is that we have a place to operate from. We are comfortable with it but we will not stop pursuing the legitimate claim to our secretariat.
“We have sustained payment of rent on the premises despite not being in occupancy. We especially appreciate the landlady who has remained steadfast in upholding the PDP as the only tenant she has. The wheels of Justice sometimes grind slowly but surely,” he stated.
But, when contacted, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, dismissed PDP’s claims as untrue.
“Don’t mind them. It is not true, and it is not possible. How can they pay rent for our secretariat? The APC is the party in power and has the capacity to pay its rent,” Ekpang stated.
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