The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State on Sunday hailed the resignation of Venatius Ikem as a clear sign that the rival “Rainbow Coalition” is collapsing, while the Wike-aligned group had yet to respond to the claims as of the time of filing this report.
Julius Udayi, the gubernatorial candidate of the Turaki-backed faction, made the declaration in a press release issued by the state chapter. He described Ikem’s exit from the party as the fading away of an “ill-fated” coalition sponsored by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“I call on all faithful members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State to remain calm, steadfast, and united as we watch the ill-fated so-called ‘Rainbow Coalition’ fade away in Cross River State with their perpetrators,” Udayi said.
He noted that Ikem, whom he described as having been “imposed by the Wike’s faction as a factional Chairman,” had resigned his membership of the party and “repented of this ill-fated assignment.”
Udayi linked the resignation to the expected outcome of a pending judgment from the Court of Appeal. “The resignation of Mr. Ikem is not unconnected with the expected outcome of the awaited Court Judgment pending and loading to be delivered soon from the Nigerian Court of Appeal,” he stated. “We are gladdened because the ‘chaff will soon be separated from the weeds’ so we can focus and work towards winning the 2027 general elections in the state.”
The Turaki camp reiterated that candidates nominated by its caretaker committee, including Udayi himself and Ebri Inah, remain the authentic flag bearers of the PDP in Cross River State.
Udayi commended Ikem for what he called a display of sportsmanship. “Mr. Vena Ikem himself as an experienced lawyer throwing in the towel at this time is itself an indication of the end of Wike’s political ploy in Cross River State. Indeed, we must salute and commend Mr. Ikem for the spirit of sportsmanship in him. This is nothing but a clear sign of repentance and hunger for righteousness on Mr. Ikem’s part,” he said.
He urged party members to remain hopeful, law-abiding and committed to the party’s ideals, expressing confidence that the challenges would ultimately strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 polls.
Efforts to obtain reactions from Venatius Ikem, other members of the Wike-aligned faction in Cross River State, and the national leadership of the PDP had yet to yield responses at the time of this report. The development is the latest in the protracted leadership and candidacy crisis that has split the PDP in the state into rival camps loyal to Senator Tanimu Turaki and Nyesom Wike.
