By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has posited that the emergence of Barr Venatius Ikem as state chairman of the party was an indication that victory was looming for his party to take over Government House in 2023.
Archibong, who is also the chancellor of the premiere private university in Cross River state, Aurthur Jarvis University, said this while congratulating Ikem.
Recall that Ikem was voted overwhelmingly as chairman after months of stalemate between him and Mr Alphonsus Eba, believed to have been anointed by Gov Ben Ayade, and who later defected to APC alongside the governor.
According to the businessman-cum educationist, the election of new PDP leaders in the state was a breath of fresh air in the state and a new beginning for the PDP in the state.
His words: “It is indeed a breath of fresh air waking up to a new dawn of tranquillity in our great party in Cross River state. It is unarguably, the beginning of many successes for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) family in the state.
“Elated by this development, I most sincerely congratulate our great party for the successful conduct of her congress and the emergence of principal officers to pilot the affairs of our party without any form of rancour or acrimony.
“This successful and unprecedented peacefully conducted state congress is an indication that victory looms in all corners for the Cross River State PDP family which would culminate into victory for the good people of our dear state.
“Once again, I congratulate Cross River state PDP for achieving this great feat, as it is the first breath of fresh air, not just for our great party but for the people of the state,” he stated.
He further described Ikem’s emergence as laudable and expressed his belief that the new chairman’s wealth of experience would positively impact the state and propel the PDP to victory in 2023.
“I most passionately congratulate the chairman of our party. His emergence is laudable and a certainty that, with his wealth of experience, having held national offices, he will positively impact the state as he propels the PDP to victory come 2023.
“As a staunch member of the PDP and one who is familiar with your many capabilities, I am optimistic that with you as the captain of this ship, our great party will reclaim power in the coming elections.
“I also wish to commend Hon Frank Adah for his show of sportsmanship in conceding to this consensus, the party is grateful to him.
“While I congratulate you on a new beginning, I urge you not to overlook the coincidence in your emergence as the state chairman of the PDP in Cross River state.
“You must continue the good work with even greater vigour, utmost sincerity and accountability to write your name in gold and on the sands of time,” he stated.