The governorship candidate of the Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Julius Udayi, on Saturday declared that the Rainbow Coalition in the state has collapsed following the resignation of former factional PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem.
Udayi made the declaration during a media briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Calabar, where he described Ikem’s resignation as a major setback for the coalition and insisted it marked the end of what he called Governor Nyesom Wike’s political influence in the state’s PDP.
Addressing party members, Udayi appealed for calm and unity, saying the latest development should encourage loyal members of the party.
“I call on all faithful members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State to remain calm, steadfast, and united as we watch the ill-fated so called ‘Rainbow Coalition’ fade away in Cross River State with their perpetrators.”
He alleged that Ikem, whom he described as a factional chairman backed by the Wike faction, had been assigned to promote candidates aligned with the Rainbow Coalition before resigning from the party.
“Just recently you all heard that Mr. Venatius Ikem Esq. who was imposed by the Wike’s faction as a factional Chairman of the PDP in Cross River State, who previously had an assignment to project and deliver certain candidates of the Rainbow Coalition in line with Governor Wike political theory, has resigned his membership of the party and in turn repented of this ill-fated assignment.”
According to Udayi, the resignation did not come as a surprise to members of the Turaki-led faction, who had expected such a development.
“We … the Turaki led executive candidates are not surprised at this positive development because we saw it coming when time is given a chance. The resignation of Mr. Ikem is not unconnected with the expected outcome of the awaited Court Judgment pending and loading to be delivered soon from the Nigerian Court of Appeal. We are gladdened because the ‘chaff will soon be separated from the weeds’ so we can focus and work towards winning the 2027 general elections in the state.”
The PDP chieftain also reaffirmed the legitimacy of candidates produced by the Turaki-led executive, insisting they remain the authentic flag bearers of the party in Cross River State.
“Let us once again reiterate that I, Mr. Julius Udayi and Mr. Ebri Inah and all other candidates that were nominated by the Turaki Led executive are the authentic flag bearers of our great party in Cross River State.”
Udayi further maintained that the resignation of Ikem signalled the collapse of the Rainbow Coalition and the weakening of its political influence in the state.
“The end time for the Rainbow Coalition candidates that were being paraded by the said Barr. Ikem is becoming eminently clear.”
He added that Ikem’s decision to quit the party was an indication that the political strategy associated with the coalition had failed.
“Mr. Vena Ikem himself as an experienced lawyer throwing in the towel at this time is itself an indication of the end of Wike’s political ploy in Cross River State.”
The comments come amid the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP in Cross River State, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections and awaiting the outcome of ongoing legal disputes.
