Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Cross River on Monday protested the alleged plans by the national secretariat to reinstate the removed state chairman, Venatius Ikem.

The protesters, who stormed the PDP secretariat in Calabar, were from wards and local government chapters.

Armed with placards of various inscriptions, the protesters threatened to leave the party if the removed chairman was reinstated.

Some placards read, “Ikem must go; all wards and local government chapters reject Vena” and “The decision of Cross River State Working Committee (SWC) is the best for the party’’, among others.

Led by the Calabar Municipality chairman, Bassey Asuquo, the protesters said removing Mr Ikem was the best thing to have happened to the party in recent times.

Mr Asuquo said Mr Ikem, as the party chairman, stagnated the party’s growth in Cross River.

“We are here because of what is going on in the party. We, the chapter leadership across the state, are in support of anything, including the removal of anyone, that will make the party grow.

“The national secretariat should let Ikem go for the good of the party in Cross River.  If Ikem is not removed, we will leave the party for him,” he said.

Dennis Ikiri, deputy state chairman of the party, who received the protesters, assured them that the right thing would be done for the party’s growth.

Similarly, Mike Ojisi, state publicity secretary of the PDP, said, “We want Jonah to be removed from the boat for it not to sink.”

Two weeks ago, the party’s State Working Committee removed Mr Ikem over allegations of financial misappropriation, high handiness, and ineptitude.

However, Mr Ikem described his removal as unconstitutional and threatened legal action.

(NAN)