The resignation of Barrister Venatius Ikem, popularly known as Vena, as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has received mixed reactions, with the party leadership insisting that the development will not weaken its structure, while some party faithful see it as an opportunity to correct leadership problems ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ikem resigned from his position with immediate effect on October 16, 2026, citing what he described as a crisis of direction and leadership coherence within the party. He expressed concern that internal disagreements and competing interests were making it increasingly difficult to lead the party effectively as another election season approaches.
However, the Cross River PDP leadership has played down the significance of his departure, insisting that the party remains intact and is not built around any individual.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Prince Mike Ojisi, the PDP maintained that its structures across the 18 local government areas and 196 wards remain functional, urging members to remain calm and committed.
The party also described Ikem’s position that it lacked direction as his personal opinion, insisting that it remained focused on winning the 2027 elections under its leaders and governorship candidate, Sir Dr Arthur Jarvis Archibong.
The party further indicated that its State Working Committee would meet to announce an acting chairman to oversee its affairs in line with its constitution.
But among some PDP faithful, particularly those who believe the party must improve its political strategy to stand a strong chance in the next elections, Vena’s resignation has generated a different kind of reaction.
Some party members see the development as an opportunity for the PDP to address what they describe as a prolonged problem of pragmatic leadership, arguing that the party has credible candidates but needs a leadership team capable of turning its political strength into electoral victories.
According to these party faithful, the challenge confronting the PDP is not necessarily the absence of individuals who can contest elections successfully, but the need for a state chairman with the charisma, strategic thinking, political reach and election management experience required to unite members and mobilise support across Cross River State.
They argue that a political party cannot depend on the quality of its candidates alone to win elections, especially in a state where grassroots mobilisation, political negotiations, coalition building and effective campaign coordination can determine the outcome of a contest.
For these members, the position of state chairman requires more than administrative competence or the ability to manage party meetings. They believe the occupant must understand the political terrain, identify electoral opportunities, manage internal disagreements and build a united structure capable of competing effectively against the ruling party.
The argument among these faithful is that the PDP has individuals with the potential to win elections, but its leadership, particularly at the state chairman level, has not demonstrated the winning charisma and strategic direction they believe the party needs.
They maintain that the resignation provides an opportunity for the party to bring in a chairman with proven experience in election strategy, grassroots mobilisation and political organisation.
Rather than treating Vena’s departure only as a setback, they believe the PDP should use the moment to undertake a serious assessment of its leadership structure and determine what kind of chairman it needs to face the 2027 elections.
The development has also renewed attention on the relationship between party leadership and electoral performance. For opposition parties, the ability to manage internal differences and maintain unity can be just as important as the popularity of individual candidates.
A chairman who can bring different tendencies together, communicate a clear political direction and ensure that candidates receive effective organisational support could help the PDP strengthen its position across the state.
However, the party must also guard against allowing the process of selecting a replacement to create another round of disagreements. A leadership change that produces fresh divisions could undermine the very objective that some members hope to achieve through Vena’s resignation.
The PDP’s official position remains that its structure is intact and its political direction is clear. Nevertheless, the concerns expressed by some faithful suggest that party unity alone may not be enough to satisfy members who want stronger coordination and a more competitive approach to the 2027 elections.
The immediate task before the party is therefore to manage the transition without creating further uncertainty while ensuring that whoever assumes the chairmanship can command the confidence of party stakeholders and work effectively with its candidates.
For those welcoming the resignation, the issue is not simply about replacing one individual with another. It is about finding a leader who can translate the PDP’s existing political resources into a credible electoral challenge.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the choice of the next Cross River PDP chairman could become an important test of whether the party is prepared to address the concerns of its members and build a stronger campaign structure.
Vena’s departure may not automatically weaken the PDP, as the party leadership insists. But whether the development becomes an opportunity for renewal or another episode in its internal political struggles will depend largely on the decisions its leaders make in the coming days.
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