The Senator David Mark-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Screening Committee, on Friday, disclosed that about 15 out of 17 aspirants who were screened on Friday were cleared to contest the Presidential primary of the Party while two aspirants would be asked to withdraw.
The Chairman of the panel, Senator David Mark made this announcement after the exercise held at the PDP Legacy House.
Briefing reporters on the outcome of the screening, he said; ‘We screened 17 (aspirants), 15 were cleared, 2 were not cleared. They have the right to appeal. All the aspirants are qualified to become a candidate of the party.’
Mark, however refused to disclose the names of those affected or why they were disqualified.
Africa Today News, New York however gathered that aside from the curriculum vitae (CV) and documents submitted by the aspirants, the panel will be considering party loyalty, track record, financial standing and well national appeal in making a recommendation.
It was also gathered that the panel was being conscious of the fact that its decisions will be subjected to appeal ‘will ensure that no loose ends were left’ according to an insider.
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Africa Today News, New York had earlier reported that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, a former President of the Senate Bukola Saraki; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, were among the first set of those screened.
Virtually all the aspirants who spoke to reporters shortly after taking part in the exercise expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the committee.
They were however non-committal on the subject of zoning.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for example in response to a question on the botched consensus arrangement among Northern aspirants, said, ‘With regards to the consensus that you mentioned. We have talked about this several times.
‘We have taken it behind our back. This is something that we take away and something that we cherish so much coming from our community, not from the party.
‘The party has a process of the emergence of candidates through the primaries, but what we did in the consensus is not a new one it has been done before and some people have benefited on it.
‘I’m a Democrat. If anyone of us gets it other than myself, am ready to support him.“
In response to another question on his earlier assertion to stay out of the race should former President, GoodLuck Jonathan was contesting, he said, ‘This is another new development, politics is dynamic’.
With the screening now completed, Africa Today News, New York expects that the various aspirants would now be stepping up their campaigns to secure the votes of delegates as it prepares to hold its primaries.
Africa Today News, New York