Asuquo Cletus
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has claimed that members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state are seeking to return to the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ikem made the claim in Calabar during the PDP governorship primary election where businessman and politician, Arthur Jarvis, emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
Speaking before party delegates and supporters on Sunday, the PDP chairman said many APC members had become disillusioned with the current administration and were secretly reaching out to the opposition party.
“Every day, my phone is filled with APC people who are telling us they want to come back to their party,” Ikem said.
He further alleged that some political appointees in the APC-led administration were privately supporting the PDP despite remaining in government.
“Even as I was coming out of the hotel, an appointee stopped me and told me to stand strong and that he is with us,” he claimed.
Ikem expressed confidence that the PDP would reclaim power in the state in the next governorship election, insisting that residents were dissatisfied with the performance of the current administration.
He criticised Governor Bassey Otu’s government, alleging that it had failed to deliver meaningful development across the state.
“For four years, the highest we have seen is potholes covered in Calabar and renovation of the library on the highway. Apart from that, I’m yet to know what else he has done as governor,” Ikem alleged.
The PDP chairman urged members of the opposition party to remain united and actively mobilise support ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Every party member moving forward is a member of the campaign committee. The state is waiting for us to make a difference,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Jarvis described the state’s condition as “sad,” accusing the current administration of neglecting the welfare of the people.
The governorship candidate promised to pursue people-oriented governance if elected governor.
