The Presidential Screening Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP says it has disqualified two Aspirants ahead of Nigeria’s General election in 2023.
The Committee headed by a former Senate President David Mark however declined to mention the aspirants who were disqualified.
He said; “those disqualified did not meet up with the requirements for the position they are contesting for.”
The disqualified aspirants are expected to forfeit the N40 million each of them paid for the expression of interest and nomination forms.
Seventeen Aspirants appeared before the Committee for the screening.
Speaking to newsmen after screening, they commended the committee for fairness, dedication and commitment to the exercise.
One of the aspirants, Sen Pius Anyim said the screening was designed to verify the candidates’ membership and financial status, academic credentials, and other requirements for a presidential candidate as spelled out in the constitution.
Some of them also reviewed why they are contesting for presidency.
The River State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, said he would work to tackle the issue of insecurity if he wins.
He said; “If you take this issue of security to a level where people are happy, then you can talk about economy, So you can’t talk about economy without a safe environment. You cannot talk about agriculture when people cannot go to farm. This nation needs a strong and courageous leadership and that is what I stand for.”
The Governor of Bauchi State, Mr Bala Mohammed, another aspirant said he prayed the primary election would be done without rancour, provocation and any attack on any member contesting with him.
“As I’ve said, I’m a Democrat. If anyone of us get it other than myself, I am ready to support him” Mr Bala Mohammed said.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel said; “I believe that so many things are to my own advantage, looking at my antecedents, training, capacity and above all, age.
He said; “We have a new wave of PDP, where everybody is allowed to express his or herself so the delegates will determine who will restore this country but trust me, whoever they will bring up as the candidate of the party will be one of the best that this country has ever produced. Look at the people the aspirants, I think this is just one of the best that we’re waiting for.”
Also a former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose said he would embark of projects that would make the people happy should he wins.
Fayose said; “I told them the importance of stomach infrastructure. And I equally made it very clear that if I become president of Nigeria, I will have Minister for Stomach Infrastructure and Welfare of the people. You must work to make the people happy.
“So for me Stomach infrastructure is part of being supportive to ordinary Nigeria.
“Stomach infrastructure under my watch, as president of Nigeria by God’s grace, will be a major theme. No one is saying here that you will not do the needful in terms of developing the country but part of the development is the welfare and well being of the people.”
Mr Fayose supports Zoning and believes the best thing the PDP could do for posterity is to zone the presidential ticket.