PDP Holds Peaceful Congress in Cross River, Elects Venatius Ikem as Chairman, Sets Sights on 2027 Victory

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has successfully conducted its long-awaited state congress, ushering in a new executive council amid tight security and a massive turnout of party faithful.

The congress, which took place at the Venetian Arena, Calabar, witnessed over 1,500 accredited delegates from all 18 local government areas of the state, making it one of the most attended political gatherings in recent years.

Officials from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) supervised the exercise, led by representatives of the National Organising Secretary. Stakeholders hailed the congress as “transparent, peaceful, and credible”, in stark contrast to the rancorous primaries that have sometimes marred internal party elections in the past.

Announcing the results, the returning officer, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyeyeri, declared Mr. Venatius Ikem as the duly elected State Chairman, securing an overwhelming 1,501 delegate votes out of 1,541 accredited delegates. Thirty-eight other executive positions, including Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Women Leader, Youth Leader, and other key offices, were also filled.

In his acceptance speech, Ikem described the outcome as a renewal of confidence in the PDP, pledging to rebuild, unite, and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

> “We had a full house of delegates, a proper panel duly certified by the NWC, and everything was done with accountability and transparency. The PDP remains strong in Cross River, and the future is bright. This new executive will rethink our vision, correct our mistakes, and move forward stronger,” he declared.

Ikem dismissed critics who accused his earlier tenure of weakening the party, insisting that his leadership had kept the PDP intact during turbulent times.

Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, also praised the congress, describing it as legitimate, calm, and unchallengeable, noting that it strictly followed the PDP constitution.

> “This is the only legitimate congress. It was calm, organised, and cannot be faulted. We now have capable leaders who will reposition the PDP in our state,” Jarigbe stated.

Party elders and stakeholders, including Senator Sandy Onor, Barr. Efiom Cobham, Hon. Godwin Offiono, and Arthur Jarvis Archibong, urged the new executive to rebuild grassroots structures, unite all factions, and mobilise aggressively to restore the PDP’s dominance in Cross River politics.

At the close of the congress, party leaders expressed confidence that the PDP, once the ruling party in the state, is now well-positioned to reclaim power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2027.