*Says He Is A Duly Elected Member Of The APC, And A Nigerian Citizen By Birth
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar has upheld the candidacy of Sen Bassey Otu as the validly nominated candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Cross River State.
The judgment was delivered by Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghohorie on Thursday, 24th November, 2022 in SUIT NO: FHC/CA/CS/142/2022 BETWEEN the Peoples Democratic Party and Sen Sandy Onoh Vs Senator Bassey Otu, his running mate,Peter Agbe Odey and INEC.
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN who filed and extensively argued the address of Senator Bassey Otu and Honourable Peter Odey against the PDP and Senator John Enoh.
Justice Rosemary upheld the arguments canvassed by Chief Mike Ozekhome,whilst delivering her judgment and dismissed in its entirety the suit filed by the PDP and its Governorship candidate, Sandy Ojang Onor which challenged the eligibility of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu and Hon. Peter Agbe Odey as the Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates respectively of their party, the APC had in the suit commenced by Originating Summons, contended that the candidacy of Peter Odey was unconstitutional in that
a). He is not a duly registered member of the APC and
b). He has a dual citizenship having sworn to an oath of allegiance to the UK.
The court, held that the uncontroverted evidence before the court clearly showed that Peter Odey was duly registered in his ward as a member of the APC. On the second vexed issue of dual citizenship, the court agreed with Ozekhome that Peter Odey from the evidence before court,is a citizen of Nigeria by birth and therefore his citizenship of the UK can not vitiate his eligibility to contest for the office of the Deputy Governor of Cross River State.
The court therefore concluded that the suit of the plaintiffs was devoid of any merit whatsoever and found accordingly dismissed same. By the said judgement, Senator Prince Bassey Otu and Honourable Peter Odey remain the validly nominated candidates by the APC to contest the offices of Governor and Deputy Governor respectively, come 2023, the court ruled.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
