The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has insisted that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will have no role in deciding who emerges as the party’s next state chairman.

Ikem, in a reaction on Friday, dismissed insinuations that Wike’s camp could sway the outcome of the September 27, 2025, congress.

He stressed that the party in Cross River has clear internal processes that must be respected.

“Wike is not from Cross River State. Wike does not produce chairmen in Cross River State. Our executives will only emerge through the statutory procedures of the party,” Ikem declared in an interview.

His statement followed the position of the Cross River South Senatorial District caucus of the PDP, which rejected an Abuja meeting of Wike’s loyalists that sought an extension of the tenure of the current chairman.

The caucus, through a communiqué signed by its vice chairman, Asuquo Ekpo, condemned the move and reaffirmed that leadership decisions must be taken within the state.

Similarly, the Central Senatorial District caucus faulted Wike’s alleged meddling in PDP’s internal affairs, warning that his actions suggested alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC). At its Thursday meeting, the caucus openly endorsed party stalwart, Tim Ekawu, as its candidate for the chairmanship.

Ikem maintained that Cross River PDP stakeholders would be guided strictly by laid-down structures and due process in choosing the new leadership.