By Magnus Effiong
Few hours after the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River warned Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State not to set his feet on any part of the State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said the Rivers State Governor would lead the party’s Campaign Council for the by-election in Ogoja/Yala and Akpabuyo scheduled for Saturday, February 26.
Recall that the APC Chairman, Barr Alphonsus Eba, in a press briefing, had described Gov Wike as a security risk who is bent on inciting violence in Cross River and therefore called on security agencies to ensure the Rivers State strongman does not enter Cross River for any reason.
However, a press statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and made available to Journalists, said while Gov Wike would chair the Campaign Council, Gov Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State would act as Wike’s assistant.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the nomination of the following party members as members of the National Campaign Council/Election Management Team for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency and Akpabuyo State Constituency bye-elections scheduled for saturday, February 26, 2022 in Cross River State,” the statement stated.
Apart from Wike and Udom, other members of the Campaign Council include Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, former governors Liyel Imoke, Donald Duke as well as Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe.
Others are Rt. Hon. Patrick Nathan Ifon, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Sen. Gershom Bassey, Sen. Prof. Sandy Onor, Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Hon. Daniel Asuquo, Hon. Essien Ekpenyong, Hon. Friday Okpeche and Hon. Effa Esua
Also included in the list are Hon. Aniekan Akpan, Hon. Solomon E. Agwana, Hon. Ikem Venatius, Hon. Barr. Kingsley Esiso, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Amb. Desmond Akawor while Chief Dan Orbih would serve as Secretary.
The party said the Directorate of Organization and Mobilization would serve as Secretariat for the Council.
Sources who spoke on condition of anonimity told our reporter that Gov Wike would likely visit Cross River and would not cause any breach of the peace, but it remained to be seen whether or not the Governor would dare the APC by leading the Campaign team to the State.
