C’River PDP ratifies Bullem as chairman, endorses Wike’s coalition

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River has ratified Chief Francis Bullem as its substantive State Chairman and endorsed the Rainbow Coalition led by Nyesom Wike.

The decisions were reached at the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held on Thursday at its secretariat in Calabar.

A communiqué issued after the meeting said the SEC also reaffirmed its support for Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whom it described as the party’s national leader.

The communiqué, signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Mike Ojisi, said the committee acknowledged and accepted the resignation of former chairman, Mr Venatius Ikem.

Ojisi said the SEC approved Bullem’s nomination and subsequently ratified him as substantive chairman under Article 47, Sections 5 and 6 of the PDP Constitution (2017), as amended.

The ratification followed Ikem’s resignation, which has created a leadership transition within the party’s Cross River chapter.

The committee also endorsed Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, signalling its support for the political platform associated with the former Rivers governor.

Meanwhile, the SEC expressed concern over what it described as incessant attacks on PDP members and other opposition party members across Cross River.

It condemned the incidents, reaffirming its commitment to protecting members’ rights to participate freely in lawful political activities.

The communiqué stressed the need for an environment where political parties could conduct legitimate activities without intimidation or harassment.

The committee also reiterated its commitment to the PDP constitution and the party’s political activities in Cross River.

Ikem resigned from the PDP on Oct. 16, citing internal divisions, a crisis of direction and leadership incoherence within the party.

He was expected to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Oct. 22.