By Afam Oyibo
The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has apologised for erroneously naming a Supreme Court justice, three university vice-chancellors, and a deceased military officer as stakeholders in a party meeting with Governor Bassey Otu in Calabar.
In a statement signed by the party’s publicity secretary, Emmanuel Edem Inyang, the APC described the inclusion of the individuals in the invitation as an oversight and urged the public to disregard the earlier list.
The affected persons include Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong, Prof. Francisca Bassey, Chief Magistrate David Edogi, and the late Major General Edward Ushie Unimna.
Their listing had sparked criticism over political neutrality, particularly given the vice chancellors’ roles as federal election returning officers.
The party confirmed that the names had been formally removed from the stakeholder list and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused.
The incident highlights sensitivities around the participation of judicial and academic officials in partisan events, which can raise concerns about impartiality in electoral processes.
The APC reaffirmed its commitment to political propriety and called on members and the public to focus on legitimate stakeholders in party engagements.
