Ayade’s Defection: PDP Sacks C-River Exco

• Former Deputy Gov, Effiok Cobham, heads new Caretaker Committee

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – In a bid to minimise the collateral damage inflicted on its structures by Governor Ben Ayade’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sacked the State Caretaker Committee for Cross River state chapter of the party.

Accordingly, the Party’s hierarchy in Abuja has, in the interim, constituted a new body to take charge of PDP affairs in the State

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan and dated May 21, said the “decision is in pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.”

It however stated that all other structures of the party in the state remain intact at the local government and ward levels.

The full statement titled: “PDP Dissolves, Replaces Cross River State Caretaker Committee”, reads: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), has approved the dissolution of the State Caretaker Committee for the Cross River state chapter of the party

“The decision is in pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.

“Consequently, the NWC has constituted a new State Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the chapter of the party at the state level

“The members of the new State Caretaker Committee for Cross River state are as follows:
Barr. Efiok Cobham (Chairman)
Barr. Attah Ochinke
Dr. Uke Enun
Prof. Walter Mboto
Hon. Rita Ayim (Publicity Secretary)
Hon. Mike Usibe
Hon. Christopher Ekpo
Mr. Victor Effiom Okon
Prince K.J. Agba
Hon. Eko Atu (Secretary)

“All other structure of the party at the local government and ward levels in the state remain intact.

Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary