The screening panel of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance on Friday disqualified six of the party’s
aspirants, who are interested in the November 16 governorship election in
Anambra State.
A front-line contender in the race
and ex-Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was affected
in the disqualification.
A statement by the Chairman of the
Governorship Screening Panel, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi; Secretary, Mr. Ifeanyi
Mbaeri, and a member, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, said at the conclusion of the panel’s
sitting that some of the aspirants failed to scale through the test.
Apart from Soludo, the other five
aspirants that failed the screening were Mr. Emmanuel Nweke, Ogbuefi Tony
Nnaechetta, Mr. Chinedu Francis Idigo, Dr. Chike Obidigbo and Mr. Oseloka
Obaze.
The panel, however, said that seven
aspirants were successful.
The successful aspirants are Mr.
Chukwuemeka Nwogbo, Mr. Paul Odenigbo, Lillian Ekwunife, Chief Willie Obiano,
Mr. John Nwosu, Mr. John Emeka and Nwachi Obianwu.
It was learnt that some of the
reasons given for not clearing the other aspirants ranged from non-presentation
of their voter cards, lack of evidence of financial strength to execute the
campaign, incomplete certificate and failure to submit tax clearance.
One of the affected aspirants, Idigo,
while reacting to his non-clearance, said he was surprised at the reasons given
for dropping him.
Idigo, who was at the APGA
headquarters, venue of the screening, said he was going to make another
presentation to the appeal panel today (Saturday).
He said they were informed that
evidence of financial status was going to be part of the screening
requirements.
“The outcome of the screening came as
a surprise to me but I am going to prepare my appeal immediately and submit it
to the Appeal Panel,” he stated.
Through his media aide, Bonaventure
Melah, Soludo said he had joined APGA to help build it into a formidable
political party, adding that he would keep his eyes on that objective.
Melah said, “Our attention has been
drawn to the news that the APGA three-man screening panel for governorship
aspirants has not cleared Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and five other aspirants. I
called to inform him of the development and he had a good laugh.
“Without knowing the reason for the
decision, he stated that he accepted whatever decision the party had taken.”
Tags
Politics