The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has said that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is still very important to the party.

Ikem shared this during an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Calabar.

He made it clear that Wike is still a member of the PDP and has not left the party.

Ikem mentioned that the issues Wike is unhappy about will be handled by the party soon.

He also said that Wike is a valuable member and that being careful in dealing with him doesn’t mean the party is afraid.

According to Ikem, the PDP values Wike and doesn’t want to lose him because of anger or frustration. He is confident that Wike will stay with the party.

Speaking about people leaving the PDP, Ikem said he wouldn’t be surprised to see more defections. He blamed the hardship in the country on poor leadership by the APC at both state and national levels.

Despite the defections, Ikem revealed that some members of the APC in Cross River have contacted him, asking to return to the PDP.

He said the party is currently holding some people back from defecting to PDP for now, due to internal strategies.

Ikem added that the people who have left the PDP have helped to make the party stronger, by removing those who were not truly committed.

In his words, people leaving PDP is not a sign of weakness but a way to cleanse and strengthen the party with passionate and loyal members.