Just In : Mass Resignation Rocks PDP Over Appointment of National Woman Leader
The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Cross River State deepened on Tuesday with the mass resignation of aggrieved party members, opposed to the appointment of Amina Divine Arong National Woman Leader The party chieftains from the Southern senatorial district of the state in different letters addressed to its various ward chairmen on Tuesday, alleged being sidelined and being treated unfairly by the leadership of the party.
Those who quit are the PDP chapter chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Alex Asuquo, Celestine Isong Isong, Ehom Ward Chairman in Biase Local Government Area and Mr. Dominic Edet Henshaw, all from the Southern senatorial district of the state. Dominic Edet Henshaw, in a letter addressed to the Ward Seven Chairman in Calabar South LGA, accused the party of unfair treatment meted at the people of Southern senatorial district.
The letter reads; “I, Dominic Edet Henshaw, joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 in the hope of creating a political power that will serve the needs of the people. I envisioned a party where all the people are treated equally regardless of ethnicity, income, zone, or demography. I had hopes that all people/ zones would be given a fair chance for leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cross River State, and I can no longer be a part of such political ideology.”
“Therefore, for the reason stated above, I am hereby resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) effective from 6th February, 2024. I wish everyone and my former members the best in the future and hope that they can help change the party for the better.” Similarly, Hon. Barr Alex Asuquo has tendered his resignation letter. The letter reads; Advertisements Resignation As Chairman Odukpani PDP and Membership of the Party “It’s my desire painfully to write you on the above subject for obvious reasons.
“As a co-founder of the party in my Ward, Eki Ward in Odukpani 1998, two times Councilor, representing Eki Ward 2004-2010 and Chapter Chairman Odukpani 2020 till date. I had been actively involved in the party politics with mixed experiences.
“Never have I as a person and my people (South) been oppressed, humiliated, insulted, maligned, disregarded, an act perpetuated in the past few years. While the details will seem boring, the straw that breaks the carmel’s back is the total absence of internal democracy and disrespect for zoning as clearly enshrined in the party constitution. Last but not least is the robbing of the southern senatorial district position of the National Woman Leader to serve out the tenure of our revered late Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe” Note that the National Positions for the state from 1998 had been occupied by the Ibeshi, Vena, and John Odey from the North and Bolaji Anani and Amina Arong from the Central till the unfortunate two year of our late Prof from the South, what is de-recognition, injustice and impunity? Advertisements “To add salt to injury, a few privileged Southern members present ar the orchestrated meeting when they raised the issue of South to complete the tenure, it was meted with stuff and unguarded response of “who are the South”? A flagrant repetition of the statements credited to two other acclaimed leaders from Central who variously retorted “who are the Efiks and who are the South? Derogatorily”
“The people (South) they clearly know had been and still relevant in the pre-colonial, post, and independence of Nigeria politically and otherwise “ “I will say no more because physically, I made it clear to them, and given a million opportunities, I’ll do same. I will admonish the party from top to down to always respect internal democracies and zoning if it must make any headway in the future political dispensation. My resignation is predicated on the premise that ‘It’s better to be a Lion for once a day than a sheep for life’ “I must sincerely appreciate all genuine leaders who stood by me and my fans all over the local government and beyond “ “My special thanks goes to His Excellency Effiok Cobham for during his pair with Imoke, Eki had major access road. Mr Donald Duke, whose tenure gave Eki electricity. The subsequent 8 years was doom to our people “ “I must without sentiments salute with immeasurable pleasure the impactful few months of our Sweet Prince, His Excellency Senator Prince Otu, the executive Governor of our dear State, especially in Eki Ward, and the corresponding positive performance of Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (The Standard). There is no gain saying that every progressive thinking Cross Riverian should lend support to the people oriented administration”
“I wish the remnants of the party well, but strongly charge them to always honour rights and values of the various constituencies in the state and eschew authoritarian democracy” Also, Celestine Isong Isong, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ehom ward, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, has resigned from the party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In his resignation letter seen by News Week Nigeria, Isong said he took the decision based on the confidence he has in the current administration of the APC.
The letter reads: “I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to officially tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) effective from today, the 21st of January 2024.”
“After careful consideration and due diligence, I have come to the conclusion that my political goals and aspirations align more closely with the principles and ideologies of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
“As you are aware, the upcoming Akamkpa & Biase Federal Constituency rerun the election schedule for the 3rd of February 2024 and is of significant importance to the development and progress of our constituency I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opportunities and experiences I gained during my time as the Ehom Ward Chairman of the Party.”
“I appreciate the support of fellow party members and leaders. I am confident that under the APC, I can better contribute to the positive transformation of our constituency and the nation at large”
