By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Forner Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River , Venatius Ikem, Esq has broken his silence over his removal from office by the State Working Committee,(SWC) of the Party.

Recall that his removal was contained in contained in a resolution letter dated November 15, 2024 and signed by about 42 members of State Working Committee, Zonal officers and chapter chairman of the party including Messera Dennis Nkiri ( Deputy Chairman), Tony Edako ( state Secretary), Austine Edibe ( Vice chairman, North), Iby Ajogbor ( Vice chairman, Central) and Asuquo Ekpo ( Vice chairman, South).

The Former Chairman of the Opposition Party said his removal had nothing to do with all the allegations stated in the purported resolution letter that removed him from office.

Speaking with Journalist in Calabar on Saturday , Ikem said his major crime was his cordial relationship with the House of Representatives member representing Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku,Hon Peter Akpanke and his long standing friend the Deputy governor of Cross River state , Hon Peter Odey.

He revealed the his relationship with Hon Akpanke was seen as a threat in some quaters due to the political interest of some big wigs in the party.

According to Ikem a lot of interest feel Akpanke would become a clog in the wheels of thier ambition come 2027 as he was allegedly hobnobbing with stalwarts, stakeholders of the Ruling APC both at the State and federal level.

He also maintained that the procedure for his removal was skewed as due process was never followed adding that he was yet to make up his mind on challenging his removal in court.

He said:” So, the resolution had been signed, before people ( SWC) were invited for the meeting. From the text message I exchanged with the Senator( Senator Jarigbe Agom), he is accusing me of rushing to Calabar to stop the suspension of the auditor.

“He also said my second crime is that I am supporting Hon. Peter Akpanke against him. I don’t know whether anybody is contesting against him .

“He used to say Peter wanted to contest against him but Peter had explained severally that he wasn’t contesting against him, so what exactly I’m I supporting Peter against him for?

“So those are the underlying political issues. These ones are just cover ups to say they have a valid reason the real reason is political that I should not be supporting Peter.

” For me, the same support I give to him is the same support all my elected officials are entitled to it does not matter the positions they hold so I cannot support him as a senator more than I am supporting other members,

“I’m supporting a national assembly member that is from my Party the PDP, is that a crime? Not t just from my party, but also in my constituency, according to him, Peter is hobnobbing with APC so for that reason I should not support him , what is the hobnobbing with APC.

“My other crime is my own hobnobbing with the Deputy governor , he said he has visited me too much and that the party members are complaining so for the reason of politics I should not welcome the deputy governor who has been my long standing friend,

“My friend should not visit me because I am in another political party , no I refuse to play that kind of politics. I don’t know if he is not interacting with members of other political parties there in the Senate.

“Why will my interaction become suspicious, these are my crimes that will not be stated in the charge sheet because they are not offences known to the party,” Ikem revelead.

Speaking further, he hinted that he had no intentions of joining the ruling Party but if he was pushed out , he will.

His words :” I didn’t have intention of joining the APC, but if you push me what will I do., I am still active. If you push me out in this manner despite my resolve and I’ve told him always, I’ve told them I am not ready for that kind of politics, but if you were in my shoes what will you do

“So if you are not looking for a fight and somebody brings a fight to you what will you do if they push you against the wall you’ll fight back. If they set up all this to embarrass me no problem but it has consequences. So all these things are being orchestrated by Senator Jarigbe for his own ego.,’ Ikem decried.