‘Rainbow Coalition’ collapsing — Cross River PDP faction

The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River has claimed that the political coalition backing a rival faction of the party is collapsing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The faction, led by its governorship candidate, Julius Udayi, made the claim while reacting to the resignation of Venatius Ikem, whom it described as chairman of the rival PDP faction.

Udayi said Ikem’s resignation was an indication that the group he referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition” was losing momentum, adding that members of his faction remained confident of victory in the forthcoming elections.

He alleged that Ikem had previously been assigned to coordinate the affairs of the rival faction and promote its candidates in the state.

The governorship candidate, however, said Ikem’s resignation should be viewed as a sign that the political dispute within the party was approaching resolution, particularly with the pending judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Udayi said his faction remained confident that the court judgment would affirm its candidates as the authentic PDP candidates for the 2027 elections in Cross River.

He further reiterated that candidates nominated by the caretaker committee led by former governor of Adamawa State, Senator Tanimu Turaki, SAN, remained the authentic candidates of the party in the state.

He called on PDP members and supporters to remain calm, united, and law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the legal process.

According to him, the faction would continue preparations for the 2027 elections and work towards strengthening the party in the state.

Udayi also said his administration, if elected, would focus on harnessing Cross River’s human and natural resources to promote self-sufficiency, inclusive development and economic prosperity.

He urged party members to remain committed to the PDP, expressing optimism that the internal challenges confronting the party would soon be resolved.