# Former PDP Chair Doubts Party’s 2027 Electoral Prospects Venatius Ikem cites internal fragmentation and leadership crises as reasons for his recent defection. - **Source:** [Premium Times Nigeria](https://www.premiumtimesng.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/295309a7-7f13-4f0d-a0bd-3055917f67c2 ## Leadership Crisis and Defection Venatius Ikem, the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, has officially resigned and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress. His departure on 19 October follows five years of leadership, marking a significant shift in the regional political landscape as he openly criticizes his former party's current trajectory. ## Fragmentation of Political Structures Ikem argues that the PDP is currently directionless and lacks the necessary organizational cohesion to challenge an incumbent government. He notes that prominent party figures, including former governors and senators, are scattered across various political camps, preventing the formation of a unified front required to mount a serious campaign for the 2027 elections. ## Visibility of Party Leadership A major point of contention for Ikem is the perceived invisibility of the party's presidential candidate, Professor Sandy Onor. He claims that the lack of sustained political activities and mobilization efforts in Cross River has left the party floating without purpose, further weakening its ability to engage voters or maintain a competitive political presence. ## Skepticism Toward Electoral Success Drawing on his extensive political experience, Ikem stated that remaining in the PDP would be futile without a clear strategy for success. He believes that achieving victory in the next general elections would require a miracle, as the party currently appears to be merely going through the motions rather than pursuing genuine electoral goals. ## Internal Factional Disputes The PDP is currently grappling with a prolonged national leadership crisis characterized by deep factional disputes. Professor Sandy Onor represents a faction backed by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. These internal divisions have led to mass defections and institutional instability, threatening the party's overall capacity to challenge the APC. ## Strategic Shift to APC Ikem’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress is rooted in his assessment of the incumbent administration's performance. By aligning with the ruling party, he seeks a more defined political direction. His move highlights the broader trend of high-profile politicians abandoning the opposition in favor of the governing party's perceived stability and influence. ## Broader Context of Instability The situation in Cross River reflects a nationwide struggle within the PDP to maintain relevance against the APC. Frequent reports of internal battles and the inability to reconcile competing interests among party elites have become defining features of the opposition's current state, complicating efforts to build a formidable coalition before the 2027 polls. ## Future Electoral Outlook As the 2027 general elections approach, the PDP faces a critical juncture regarding its survival as a major opposition force. Ikem’s public critique underscores the urgency of the party's need for leadership coherence. Without significant structural reform, the party risks further erosion of its base and continued irrelevance in the national political arena. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/south-south-regional/923060-former-cross-river-pdp-chair-doubts-partys-2027-chances.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._