The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has apologised to members of the judiciary and some university vice chancellors over their mistaken inclusion in an invitation list for a recent stakeholders’ meeting held with Governor Bassey Edet Otu.

Those affected include Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Chief Magistrate David Edogi, and three vice chancellors — Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong of the University of Calabar, Prof. Francisca Bassey of the University of Cross River State, and Prof. Patrick Asuquo of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship. Also listed in error was the late Major General Edward Ushie Unimna, who passed away in 2025.

The party’s state chapter issued the apology following public criticism and social media reactions that trailed the circulation of the invitation list ahead of the stakeholders’ pre-congress meeting in Calabar.

In a statement titled “APC Stakeholders’ Pre-Congress Meeting with the Governor of Cross River State,” dated February 15, 2026, and signed by Hon. Emmanuel Edem Inyang, Publicity Secretary of the Executive Caretaker Committee, APC Cross River State, the party described the development as an oversight.

The statement said the names earlier included should be disregarded, stressing that their appearance on the list was unintended.

According to the party, it regrets the error and any embarrassment or inconvenience it may have caused the affected individuals and the public, while appealing for understanding.

Justice Agim had been listed among stakeholders from Obudu Local Government Area expected at the meeting held at the Calabar International Convention Centre, a development that drew concern given judicial officers’ expected neutrality. The inclusion of serving vice chancellors also raised questions because of their frequent roles in election-related duties.