Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has stated that the party will rise again and take its rightful place in the state and in the country.

Mr Ikem stated this on Friday in Calabar upon resuming duty after the lifting of his suspension by the National Working Committee.

Recall that the party chairman was suspended by the State Working Committee in November, 2024, over alleged financial misappropriation and high-handedness, among other issues.

The suspension was later voided by the NWC and was ratified by the party’s stakeholders on March 10, 2025.

Mr Ikem said that the party might have fallen, it didn’t fall completely but only stumbled, adding that he would harness the party’s potential to reclaim its leadership position in the state.

He said that he bore no grudge against anybody for his suspension by members of the SWC and promised to turn a new leaf.

Mr Ikem said that what happened to him should serve as a lesson to party men as they could fall and rise again.

He thanked the SWC for bringing the party back to the path of unity and sanity, saying, I’m overwhelmed by the reception and want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve consulted widely with party leaders, and I bear no grudge against anyone. I promise you that I will change my ways, and believe me, we will do a lot of things differently. Let what happened to me, my going and coming back be a lesson that we can fall and rise again.’’

Mr Ikem also accused the All Progressives Congress leadership in the state of not accelerating development in the state.

(NAN)