The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, southern Nigeria, Venatius Ikem, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ikem formally joined the APC at a grand reception held at the headquarters of Obudu Local Government Area in the northern district of Cross River State, alongside his supporters.
Ikem, who recently made public his resignation from the PDP, attributed his decision to what he described as “the opposition party’s lack of clear direction and leadership coherence.”
READ ALSO: Cross River APC Stakeholders Pledge Unity Ahead of Congresses
He questioned the PDP’s preparedness for the 2027 elections, expressing concern over internal divisions and what he considered “inadequate political mobilisation by the party’s national leadership.”
He commended Governor Otu for his development initiatives, urging residents to recognise the progress recorded and support the government to achieve more beyond 2027.
He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address Nigeria’s macroeconomic challenges, calling for reforms that would translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians, particularly making food and other essential commodities affordable.
He also urged Nigerians to support the reform process and expressed the confidence that the end would be translated into improved economic fortunes for the country.
Ikem pledged to contribute to the APC’s success in the forthcoming general elections.
Endorsement of Otu’s Agenda
Speaking at the rally, the deputy governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey, who represented Governor Bassey Otu, described Ikem’s defection as an “extraordinary endorsement of the People First agenda.”
Odey said the development also reflected the growing appeal of the APC, which he attributed to the administration’s people-centred approach to governance.
Welcoming Ikem and his supporters, the deputy governor assured them of equal opportunities within the party, irrespective of when they joined.
He cited his own political experience, recalling that he joined the APC less than three months before emerging as its deputy governorship candidate and eventually becoming deputy governor of the state.
Speaking earlier, the APC State Chairman, Chris Etta, expressed the confidence that the defector and his supporters would contribute to the party’s growth in Cross River State.
The reception was attended by government officials, APC leaders and other political stakeholders, including the deputy speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Sylvester Agabi as well as the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Emmanuel Ironbar.
Venatius Ikem led the PDP in Cross River State for five years before his defection to the APC.
 in Cross River State, southern Nigeria, Venatius Ikem, has defected to the.........){kind=link}