PDP Ex-Chairman In Cross River Lists Reasons For Defecting To APC
Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, Venatius Ikem, says weak party structures and declining electoral prospects prompted his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ikem disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Calabar on Saturday.
The former chairman, who recently resigned from the PDP, said his decision followed an assessment of the party’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections.
He identified weak structures, poor candidate quality and the challenges of confronting an incumbent government as reasons for his defection.
“What broke the camel’s back for me was realising after the primaries that we don’t have good candidates in enough constituencies to give us the momentum we need to win elections,” he said.
Ikem said he also considered the difficulties of remaining in opposition in Nigeria’s political environment, particularly its implications for communities and party supporters.
He explained that opposition politicians often struggle to attract government attention to their constituencies, leaving their supporters feeling neglected.
“When you are in the opposition, your community is marginalised. Your supporters are marginalised. Everything around you is treated as if you are an outcast,” he said.
He said prolonged exclusion from government could gradually erode politicians’ grassroots support, particularly when residents expect them to attract development to their communities.
Ikem said his decision was also informed by the need to ensure that his constituents continued benefiting from government programmes and infrastructure.
“That’s the only way you can assure your people that you still have some relevance and that you are looking out for their interest, not about your personal interest,” he said.
The former chairman said he had begun engaging political associates and community members individually to explain his reasons for joining the APC.
He described the response as encouraging, adding that some members of smaller political parties had also expressed interest in joining him.
According to him, he had not compelled anyone to follow him, allowing individuals to make independent decisions based on their political convictions.
“This is politics. Stay where you think you are comfortable. But for me, for one, two, three, four, five reasons, I know that we are heading nowhere,” he said.
Ikem acknowledged that his decision might eventually prove wrong but maintained that it reflected his honest assessment of the PDP’s political direction and electoral prospects.
NAN reports that Ikem resigned as Cross River PDP chairman in October, citing internal divisions, a crisis of direction and leadership incoherence.
He described his resignation as difficult but necessary, following careful reflection on the party’s prevailing realities and his ability to continue providing effective leadership.
