By Abasi Ita, Calabar
The lingering crisis in the Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened, following remarks by the newly inaugurated Caretaker Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa, dismissing the Venatius Ikem-led executive as “illegal and non-existent.”
Ewa, who spoke during the inaugural meeting of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Calabar, maintained that no valid congress had been conducted in the state. He described the purported congress held on September 27 at the Venetian Mall as “a mere gathering of friends,” emphasizing that it was not sanctioned by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
“No congress has been held in Cross River State,” Ewa declared. “If people met somewhere like a committee of friends about a week ago, that was not the PDP. The NWC officially postponed all congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi States. Nothing happened in those states. We are the only recognized PDP leadership in Cross River, duly constituted by the National Chairman to manage the party’s affairs.”
The chairman further clarified that the PDP’s legitimacy is defined by the presence of its authentic leadership, not the location of any structure. “Wherever the Exco sits is the PDP secretariat,” he asserted.
Speaking in support of the chairman, party stalwart Hon. Eko Atu described the alleged congress as “a misnomer,” adding that the new caretaker team is focused on restoring peace and unity within the party.
“That we have remained in the PDP till now shows our commitment to rebuilding it,” Atu said. “We are open to reconciliation with all genuine members who desire progress for the party.”
The caretaker committee, inaugurated on October 8 with the approval of the NWC, includes Rt. Hon. Bassey Eko Ewa as Chairman and Dr. Bassey Joseph Adim as Secretary, alongside 16 other members.
In his inaugural address, Ewa called on aggrieved members to put aside personal interests and work collectively to rebuild the party’s internal cohesion. “For too long, our great party has been divided by personal ambition. The time has come to restore fairness, inclusiveness, and trust in our state chapter,” he said.
The PDP in Cross River State has been embroiled in leadership disputes over control of the party structure ahead of the November 2025 national congress. It is believed that the Ikem-led executive has the backing of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, while the Ewa-led caretaker committee was officially endorsed by the NWC.
Amid the growing tension, party stakeholders have urged members to embrace peace and reconciliation, warning that prolonged division could weaken the PDP’s chances in upcoming elections.