CRS Chairman, PDP, Barr. Vena Ikem,
By Anietie Akpan
The Cross River State Congress Committee list allegedly constituted by the State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Vena Ikem, has been declared as null and void by a stakeholders.
In a statement on Thursday by the PDP stakeholders in the state, endorsed by Mr. Austine Ibok, said, “it is quite surprising to see so much attention being given to the so-called State Congress Committee List allegedly constituted by Barr. Vena Ikem”.
The statement stated that the truth is very clear as “the current State Working Committee (SWC) of our party, led by Vena, has once again displayed a lack of understanding of law, due process, and basic political morality.
“As someone who parades himself as a lawyer, one would expect him to know better. Unfortunately, his actions only confirm why the PDP in Cross River State has repeatedly stumbled under this kind of misguided leadership”.
For the avoidance of doubt, Ibok said, “no State Working Committee has the constitutional authority to constitute a congress committee. It is simply not within their powers.
“How then can an SWC, which is itself an interested party in the process, set up a committee to supervise a contest in which it has a direct stake? That is both illegal and morally indefensible. It amounts to being a judge in your own case”.
Ibok said, “I strongly advise our party faithful to completely ignore and dismiss the so-called list that is being circulated. It has no legal standing, no moral weight, and no political future. It is dead on arrival.
“For clarity, the only organ of our party empowered by the constitution to constitute a congress committee is the National Working Committee (NWC). Anything outside that framework is null, void, and of no effect”.
The statement advised members “not be distracted by the antics of those who are afraid of losing and are hiding behind money and influence from their benefactors. Their desperation is a sign of weakness, not strength.
“Our focus should remain on genuine party unity, transparency, and adherence to the constitution of the PDP. Those who attempt to hijack the process will only expose themselves further as enemies of progress”.
Recall, a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Mike Ojisi, said the 3rd quarter State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held on September 10, constituted a 20 member State Congress Committee headed by the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Zana Akpagu for the September 27 State Congress of the party.
The meeting also endorsed the Barr Ikem as the legitimate leadership of the party in the state.
