2023: PDP flexes muscle over Cross River

Leading members of the main opposition PDP converged on Calabar, Cross River at the weekend to strategise on how to retain its grip on power in the state.

This is contained in a statement e-mailed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

NAN reports that the PDP has been in power in Cross River since the return of democracy in the country 22 years ago but the defection of the current governor appears to mark a turning point.

Political pundits argue that the defection of the state Gov. Ben Ayade from the PDP to the ruling APC may affect the fortunes of the PDP in the years ahead.

The governor’s departure is now seen as a major test for the PDP in what is now seen as a game of wits between the PDP and the APC.

Addressing the party’s top-shots, the National Chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus, declared that Cross River would “remain the stronghold of the PDP, in spite of Gov. Ayade’s defection.

“PDP will work to retain the confidence the people of Cross River State reposed in our party and retain its dominance in the state.

“Our party has governed since the return of party politics in 1999.

“Cross River will remain the stronghold of our party well after 2023,’’ said Secondus, flanked by other chieftains of the party, including Sen. Bukola Saraki and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

Secondus told PDP members in the state to remain resolute to make the party retain power in the upcoming general elections.

Also speaking, a former governor of the state, Sen. Liyel Imoke, gave assurance that no other party would take the state from the PDP, “being the dominant party in the state.

“PDP is the only party known to our people. I assure the leadership of our party that we will deliver victory in 2023,’’ he stated.

Imoke governed the state from 2007 to 2015 when he handed over to Ayade now of the APC.

Other PDP chieftains, who were present at the event include former Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra, former Gov. Donald Duke of Cross River and the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Mr Efiok Cobham.

Also present were Hon. Daniel Asuquo, Hon. Etta Mbora and Hon. Essien Ayi, all serving members of the House of Representatives among other party top shots. (NAN)