The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River says the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, will not produce the next state chairman of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the position of the Cross River South Senatorial District of the party following its caucus meeting in Calabar on Wednesday.

According to Mr Asuquo Ekpo, state’s vice chairman of the PDP, the meeting was convened to deliberate on urgent and important political developments affecting both the senatorial district and the state at large.

In a communique signed by Ekpo, the party condemned the resolution of the meeting of the faction loyal to Wike held in Abuja, which called for the extension of the tenure of the incumbent chairman of the party in the state.

He noted that the Venatius Ikem’s led leadership of the state executive was riddled with conflict and divisive tendencies.

He reaffirmed the caucus commitment to ensure an all-inclusive and rancour-free state congress scheduled for Sept. 27.

According to him, in line with the national template and resolution of the Cross River special stakeholders meeting, the caucus adopts the existing state party offices allocated to the southern senatorial district.

“The caucus resolved to present a united and formidable front at the forthcoming state congress and recalled the unfortunate experiences of 2023 when the party lost in the South.

“Consequently, the caucus directed all local government areas in the district to consult widely and put forward their most competent representatives for the Sept. 27 congress.

“The caucus further reaffirmed its commitment to engage with different local government areas, with a view to accommodating or realigning the zoning as the circumstances may require.”

He added that the caucus commended the National Woman Leader, Mrs Amina Bryhm, for her bold and decisive steps to ensure stability of the PDP in the state.

NAN reports that the PDP in Cross River is factioned along the Wike led group and that of the former Vice President, Alh. Abubakar Atiku, who has since defected to the ADC. (NAN)