Cross River chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has objected to the recall of the suspended state Chairman of the party, Mr Venatius Ikem, by the National Working Committee (NWC).

This is contained in a statement issued by the state Secretary of the party, Mr Anthony Edako, on Monday in Calabar.

The party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) insisted that the chairman remained suspended until NWC and stakeholders met to decide otherwise.

According to the party, any purported decision to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having an expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint is null and void.

“We have been made aware of a letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by the national organising secretary reinstating the suspended state chairman.

“We wish to state categorically state that this letter is null and void, as it did not emanate from the proper channel having the authority to write such a letter,” the statement said.

The party said that only the national chairman and national secretary were authorised to write such a letter.

“So, the national oganising secretary overstepped his bounds, and his actions are consequently deemed ultra-vires,” it said.

The secretary recalled that on Nov. 20, 2024, NWC dismissed the suspension of the chairman of Cross River Chapter of PDP, Venatius Ikem, which was made on Nov. 15, 2024.

“The reason for the dismissal of the suspension was communicated to the SEC of the party.

“Consequently, the SEC of the party, on Nov. 22, 2024, suspended the state chairman based on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee of the state and communicated same to the national,” he said.

He further stated that SEC was invited by the NWC and after deliberations, it was unanimously agreed that NWC should convene a meeting with stakeholders from Cross River to determine Ikem’s fate.

“The meeting between the NWC and stakeholders from Cross River has not been convened yet.

“The meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the decision-making process is transparent, fair and in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.

The secretary said that any purported decision taken to reinstate the suspended chairman without first having the expanded meeting to look into SEC’s complaint was, therefore, null and void.

He urged party members and stakeholders to disregard the said letter and continue to recognise the suspended chairman as such. (NAN)