A factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State loyal to the Tanimu Turaki-led caretaker committee, Mr Julius Udayi, has declared that the Rainbow Coalition in the state has collapsed following the resignation of Mr Venatius Ikem from the party.
Udayi made the remarks Saturday in Càlabar while speaking on resignation of the PDP state party chairman Mr. Vena Ikem last week
He urged the PDP members to remain “calm, steadfast and united as they watch the ill-fated so called Rainbow Coalition fade away in Cross River State with their perpetrators.”
He alleged that Ikem, who he described as having been “imposed by the Wike’s faction as a factional chairman,” had an assignment to project and deliver certain candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in line with Governor Wike’s political theory.
Udayi said Ikem’s resignation was not unconnected with the pending judgment of the Court of Appeal. “The chaff will soon be separated from the weeds so we can focus and work towards winning the 2027 general elections in the state,” he stated.
He reiterated that he, Mr Ebri Inah and other candidates nominated by the Turaki-led executive remain the authentic flag bearers of the PDP in Cross River, adding that Ikem throwing in the towel as an experienced lawyer “is itself an indication of the end of Wike’s political ploy in Cross River State.”
While commending Ikem for what he called sportsmanship and repentance, Udayi urged his supporters to remain hopeful and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the judgment of the court will soon affirm his faction’s candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
