There was mild drama at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Cross River State on Monday as party members staged a protest against the alleged plan to reinstate the ousted state chairman, Venatius Ikem.
The State Working Committee (SWC) had removed Ikem two weeks ago over allegations of financial misappropriation, high-handedness, and ineptitude.
However, Ikem has rejected his removal, describing it as unconstitutional and threatening legal action to challenge the decision.
Monday’s protest saw PDP members from wards and local government chapters across the state converging at the secretariat, armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Ikem Must Go”, “All Wards and Local Governments Reject Vena”, and “The Decision of the SWC is the Best for the Party”.
The protesters, led by the Calabar Municipality Chairman of the PDP, Mr Bassey Asuquo, declared that Ikem’s removal was necessary for the party’s growth.
The protesters also threatened to leave the party en masse if Ikem is reinstated, claiming his leadership style has created divisions within the party.
Asuquo said, “We the chapter leadership across the state are in support of anything, including the removal of anyone, that will make the party grow.
“The national should let Ikem go for the good of PDP in Cross River. If Ikem is not removed, we will leave the party for him.”
On his part, Chief Dennis Nkiri, deputy state chairman of the party, who received the protesters, assured them that the right thing will be done for the growth of the party.
Similarly, Mr. Mike Ojisi, state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, said: “We want Jonah to be removed from the boat for it not to sink.”