The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has confirmed Chief Francis Bullem as its substantive state chairman following the resignation of his predecessor, Venatius Ikem.
The party also declared its support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and endorsed his Rainbow Coalition.
The decisions were announced in a communiqué released after the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held on Thursday at its secretariat in Calabar.
The communiqué, signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Mike Ojisi, stated that the committee had formally accepted Ikem’s resignation from the position of state chairman.
Following his resignation, the SEC approved Bullem’s nomination and confirmed him as the substantive chairman in accordance with Article 47, Sections 5 and 6 of the PDP Constitution (2017), as amended.
The development is expected to usher in a new leadership arrangement for the opposition party in Cross River State.
At the meeting, the committee also declared its support for Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, recognising the former Rivers State governor as the national leader of the PDP.
The endorsement indicates that the Cross River chapter has aligned itself with the political movement being championed by the FCT minister.
Meanwhile, the party expressed concern over reported attacks on its members and those of other opposition parties during political activities across the state.
The SEC condemned the incidents and called for an end to actions capable of preventing opposition members from freely participating in lawful political activities.
It maintained that all political parties and their members should be allowed to carry out their activities without threats, intimidation or harassment.
The committee further reaffirmed its commitment to the PDP constitution and the party’s activities in Cross River State.
Recall that Ikem resigned as the state PDP chairman on October 16, 2026, following disagreements within the party.
He attributed his decision to internal divisions, a lack of clear direction and what he described as poor leadership coordination within the party.