APC Cross River Apologizes for Inviting Supreme Court Justice, VCs, and Deceased Officer to Party Meeting
The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued an apology for erroneously inviting several high-profile individuals—including a sitting Supreme Court justice, three university vice-chancellors, and a deceased military officer—to a party stakeholders’ meeting with Governor Bassey Otu.
In a statement released by the party’s publicity secretary, Emmanuel Edem Inyang, the APC acknowledged that several names listed in the earlier invitation were included in error and should be disregarded.
“The party sincerely tenders its unreserved apologies for this oversight and regrets any inconvenience this may have caused to the affected individuals and stakeholders,” the statement read.
Among those mistakenly listed were Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court; Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong; Prof. Francisca Bassey, vice chancellor of the University of Calabar; Chief Magistrate David Edogi, vice chancellor of the University of Cross River State; and the late Major General Edward Ushie Unimna.
The error sparked widespread criticism online and raised questions about political neutrality, particularly regarding vice-chancellors who often serve as state returning officers during national elections. Social media users and civil society groups flagged the inclusion of these officials as potentially compromising the perception of impartiality in electoral processes.
The APC confirmed that the affected names have now been formally removed from the invitation list and urged the public and party members to disregard the earlier publication.
