C/River NASS caucus writes Makarfi over Ayade’s ‘excesses’

There are indications that all is not well in the Cross River State chapter of the PDP following claims by the state’s National Assembly Caucus of alleged highhandedness and non-inclusive congresses by Governor Ben Ayade.

The lawmakers from the state, in a letter to the National Chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, dated October 12, 2017, warned that unless something urgent was done to remedy the situation; the party stood a poor chance in the 2019 elections.

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.

“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. There was, however, an aberration in the manner the congresses were done, as they 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 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,” the petition read.

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.