Senator Prince Bassey Otu has reacted to reports that he has been disqualified from contesting for governorship in Cross River State by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship screening committee.
A statement by an aide to the former lawmaker, Ekpenyong Akiba, noted that Senator Otu was only asked to present original copies of his certificates, which he did and was cleared by the committee yesterday.
Earlier, there was news that an APC governorship aspirant, and the consensus choice candidate of Governor Ben Ayade in Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu has been disqualified by the party from the contest.
It was also reported that the Appeal Committee of the party on Friday upheld the decision of the Screening Committee which disqualified Sen. Otu based on different petitions against him bothering alleged criminal acts and certificate forgery.
Recall that, some All Progressives Congress (APC) members had petitioned the screening committee in the state, alleging that Otu had been convicted of fraud and is not qualified to run for office.
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But in a statement on Thursday, Nwambu Gabriel, Director-General of the coalition, said the petition is an attempt to discredit the governorship Aspirant. Also Sen Otu has reacted and debunked the news spreading.
In other news, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee in Cross River State has disqualified a total of ninety aspirants vying for membership of the Cross River State House of Assembly under the party.
A document obtained by reporters shows that most of the aspirants were disqualified for not presenting their letter of resignation; one of the criteria set out by the party for qualification to contest at the primaries.
The party had directed all political appointees seeking elective posts to resign their appointments.
Interestingly, one of the aspirants who was cleared by the party, Hon. Chief Effiong Ekarika Jimmy (Calabar South 2) did not present his letter of resignation, as indicated in the document, but was cleared. No reason was given for his clearance despite not presenting his letter of resignation.
Also worthy of note is the non clearance of: Blessing Ekpo Joseph (Yakurr 2), Odey Rosemary Turitta (Obudu), Aburu John Okpe (Obudu) and Oyong Francis (Boki 2) despite meeting the requirements as indicated by the party. No reason has been given by the party for their disqualification.
