By Akpan David, Calabar
As the power play in the Cross River State ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) climaxes against Governor Ben Ayade, federal lawmakers of the party from the state have settled for the former national publicity secretary of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem to emerge as state chairman of the party.
The National Assembly members backing Ikem are bubbling up for the party’s Congress on August 8, 2020 where new officers are to be elected.
There has been face-off between Governor Ayade and other key PDP members in the state over who controls structures of the party in the state, leading to intervention by the national headquarters.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayade who reports say has stormed party national secretariat to lobby, is believed to be backing Alphonsus Eba (a.k.a Okadigbo) for the state chairmanship of party.
Our source disclosed that Ayade has engaged in an intensive lobbying for his preferred candidate with a view to upturn attempts by National Assembly lawmakers to snatch power from him.
It was understood that Ayade was told that the party has nothing against him, but there is urgent need for him to liaise with all relevant stakeholders of the party in the state to decide on what they want.
