.Says only collective action can reposition the party

By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

The acting chairman of the Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Austin Edibe on Monday assumed office after taking oat of office administered to him by a lawyer, Mr Raymond Manga.

Edibe, a former Vice chairman of the party in Northern senatorial district of the state, was appointed acting chairman following the removal of Venatius Ikem Esq as the state chairman.

Recall that the former Chairman was removed on the allegation of financial misappropriation, high-handiness and ineptitude by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party on Friday.

The acting chairman after assuming office called for collective action to reposition the party in Cross River.

He said in running the party, he will be guided by the party’s constitution while promising to launch the PDP to winning ways through the support of everyone.

Edibe promised more interactions with the leadership and other stakeholders of the party in the state.

His words : “The event of the past few days is in line with the constitution of the party and I feel humbled to be appointed to run the affairs of this party.

“It is not by coincident to be the Vice chairman of the zone where the immediate past chairman is from.

“This shows the strength of our party constitution. As a party, let’s always be guided by this constitution.

“Going forward, we will serve with all our might, we will do things collectively, I can’t claim to know everything. We will all work together for the benefit of the party.”

The acting chairman noted that inspite of its opposition role, the party remained strong and loved by the people of the state.

“our party is greatly loved by the people. In the last local government, even when the people knew their votes will not count, they were still willing to come out to one because of the PDP. “

On his part, state Deputy Vice Chairman of the PDP, Mr Dennis Nkiri said that the party was almost sinking with Venatius Ikem as the chairman.

“His removal is a good omen for the party and we are a going to reposition this party with a renewed vigour,” Nkiri said .