The screening committee of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) has disqualified Bassey Otu, a former senator representing Cross River
south, from contesting in the party’s governorship primary.
According to a document on the committee’s resolutions, the panel said Otu’s disqualification followed his inability to
provide proof of his educational qualifications.
Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, had endorsed the former
senator as the governorship candidate for the APC in the forthcoming primary.
However, some APC members had petitioned the screening
committee, alleging that Otu had been convicted of fraud and is not qualified
to run for office.
The petitioners also alleged that the former senator failed
to make full disclosure of his educational qualifications.
The panel, in its decision, said there was no evidence to
substantiate the allegation of a criminal conviction, but added that the
governorship aspirant could only produce his secondary school testimonial for
clearance.
“Bassey Ede Otu was disqualified by the screening committee
(governorship),” the document reads.
“We also received a petition dated 14th May 2022 from Messrs
B.I Dakum & Co. against the nomination of Senator Bassey Ede Otu. The
petition was brought on two grounds: (1) That the respondent, Senator Bassey
Edet Otu, is an ex-convict; (2) That the respondent, Senator Bassey Edet,
failed to make full disclosure of his educational qualifications.
“Aside this petition, there is no other appeal or petition
regarding any other nomination.
“The committee, after due scrutiny of the content of the
petition and the supporting documents, found no evidence to substantiate the
allegation of conviction of the aspirant before any court of law.
“However, with regards to the allegation of his questionable
academic credentials, the subject could neither produce his first school
leaving certificate nor his WASC.
“He could only
produce his secondary school testimonial. In the circumstances, therefore, the
committee has no option than to declare this matter as inconclusive.”
The document was signed by Suleiman Fakai, Chidi Nwogu, and
Paul Oyiborume — chairman, secretary and member of the committee, respectively.
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