Appeal Court refuses to stop Usani as C'River APC guber candidate

Pastor Usani Uguru Usani

The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar yesterday refused an oral application by the faction of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Cross River State a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgement recognizing the state executive committee of the party led by Ntufam Etim John.

The Appeal Court presided over by Hon. Justice M.A.Owoade ordered all parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the appeal filed by that faction of the party led by Sir John Ochala against the judgement of the Federal High Court.

The Federal High Court 2 presided over by Hon. Justice S. A. Amobeda, had on February 11, 2019 given judgement in a suit number FHC/CA/CS/73/2018, recognized the Etim John led leadership of the party as the authentic leadership of the party in the state.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize the list of candidates presented by the Etim John led leadership in the forthcoming election.

Among those on the list as presented by the Etim John faction of the party include the Minister of Niger Delta affairs, Pastor Usani Usani who is their governorship candidate.

Others are Prince Bassey Otu, Senatorial candidate, Cross River South, Chief Akin Rickettes, senatorial candidate Cross River Central and Chief Ugba Murphy, Senatorial candidate, Cross River North.

A list of House of Representatives candidates was also presented to INEC.
The Appeal Court however, granted the John Ochala faction of the party leave to appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court.

Other appellants in the appeal are Bishop Victor Ebong and Bassey Ita.
Parties interested/ applicants in the appeal are Sen. Owan Enoh, Sen. Victor Ndoma Egba, and Dr. Bassey Etim Nakanda.