PDP may lose Cross River state in 2019 - Federal legislators warn Ahmed Makarfi

macfranc007 November 08, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Kess Ewubare

- Some federal lawmakers from Cross River state accuse Governor Ayade of highhandedness

- The legislators allege that executive officers of the party in the state were selected rather than elected

- Eight PDP members jostling for its national chairmanship seat have agreed to sign a peace accord

Some federal lawmakers from Cross River state have warned that the conduct Governor Ben Ayade could make the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lose the state in 2019.

The lawmakers from the state in a letter to the national chairman of the PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, dated October 12, 2017, accused Governor Ayade of highhandedness and non-inclusive congresses, Leadership reports.

The legislators alleged that executive officers for the party in the state were selected rather than elected.

The letter signed by nine legislators led by Senator Rose Oko (Cross River North) accused the governor of hijacking the state’s congresses to the exclusion of stakeholders.

Others that signed the petition included Senator Gershom Bassey, Hon Ayibe Ngoro, Hon Bassey Eko Ewa, Hon Daniel Asuquo, Hon Eja Mbora, Hon Jarigbe Agom, Hon Essien Ayi and Hon Legor Idagbo.

The petition read in part: “We bring to your attention the state of the structure of the PDP in Cross River State. The 2016 party congresses ostensibly saw the election of new officials for the state, local government area and ward executive officers for the party.

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"There was however an aberration in the manner the congresses were done, as it excluded party stakeholders and elders across the state that became tantamount to a selection rather than an election.

"The implication of this is that there is now a general apathy (sic) and despondency among party members in the state, most of whom have felt the need to move out of the party to other parties, and indeed have done so."

Meanwhile, eight PDP members jostling for its national chairmanship seat have agreed to sign a peace accord ahead of the December elective convention, according to Chief Raymond Dokpesi, one of the aspirants.

Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday, November 7, in Abuja, shortly after submitting his nomination form at the party’s national secretariat.

He said that PDP members were looking forward to a successful convention, and dismissed suggestions that problems were already brewing in the party.

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