The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State received a boost yesterday as the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the authority of the State Chairman, Venatius Ikem, and ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the determination of ongoing suits.
In a statement issued in Calabar, Ikem revealed that his office was allegedly invaded on Wednesday by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, accompanied by his rival for the chairmanship, Timothy Ekawu, along with other aspirants including Denis Nkiri (Deputy Chairman), Godwin Igwe (Treasurer), and Bassey Ewa, a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The group, he said, stormed the PDP secretariat demanding staff vacate the premises on the claim that the state executive had been dissolved and replaced with a caretaker committee led by Nicholas Ayua.
Ikem disclosed that in anticipation of such actions, he had earlier sought legal protection in Abuja.
“I am happy to announce that yesterday our prayers were accordingly granted by the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja… The Court ordered amongst other things that the status quo be maintained in the Party,” he said.
With the order, Ikem and the state executive committee remain recognised, and he assured members that all activities leading to the September 27 state congress would continue unhindered.
He urged delegates and party faithful to remain calm, assuring that security agencies had been briefed to guard against intimidation or disruption.
He further appealed to members not to be distracted by “erstwhile members of our party who are bent on destroying our party before moving to their new party, the ADC.”
The order sets the stage for the PDP congress on Saturday, a contest expected to shape the future of the party in Cross River as it gears up for the 2027 elections.
