By Abasi Ita
The National Working Council,NWC of the People Democratic Party has overruled the suspension slammed on the Cross River State Chairman of the party,Venatius Ikem Esq by the State Working Committee of the party, describing it as null and void and of no effect.
Reacting to the crisis rocking the party in Cross River State through a press statement issued by PDP National Publicity Secretary,Debo Ologunagba, the NWC contended that the process leading to the suspension contradict the constitution of the party regarding the subject.
According to the statement;”The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Cross River State Chapter of our Party, Barr. Venatius Ikem.
“The NWC declares the said suspension as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down Rules of our great Party”
It explained further;”For the avoidance of doubt, no State Working Committee has the power whatsoever to suspend a State Chairman without due recourse to the National Working Committee as provided by the Constitution of the PDP.
“The NWC states that Barr. Venatius Ikem remains the Chairman of the Cross River State Chapter of the PDP and charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our Party in Cross River State and the nation to disregard the purported suspension”
The NWC equally enjoined Party members in Cross River State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party and the people.