I am Not Aspiring To Succeed Mu’azu, Says Imoke

GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has denied having any interest in taking over from Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Touching down at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar yesterday from Abuja, Imoke said it was all rumour in the media.

He described the publications that he was working closely with some chieftains of the party to become the next National Chairman of PDP as false.

He said: “I have been in the public limelight for 16 years now. My tenure as the governor of Cross River would come to an end on May 29, and I have no further political ambition or plan to succeed Mu’azu.

“I have said it several months ago, that I will not participate in politics anymore or run for any political office at any level after my tenure as governor of Cross River.

“Having being in the political limelight for 16 years, I want to step aside, and I remain a loyal party member and supporter.

“I think it is all rumours and I can’t say where the information was generated from. I want to state that I am not planning to become the next national chairman of our party.”

Although the party received a mega defeat in the 2015 general elections, he said there was a need to rebuild the party and reconcile all aggrieved members.

“We must not allow our great party to disintegrate. At times when you are faced with these great challenges, there is a need to reconvene, work hard and build the party,” he said.

Imoke pledged his total loyalty and commitment to the party, adding that it was time for hard work to move the party forward and get back to the top.