The People’s Democratic Party in Abia State, has successfully screened over 200 Aspirants for the Seats of Governorship, Senate,Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly,ahead of the PDP primary elections in the state.
Briefing Newsmen at the Abia PDP Secretariatin Umuahia, the State Publicity Secretary, Chief Fabian Nwankwo,said so far the party officials have screened the over 200 Aspirants that have submitted their forms.
PDP State Publicity Secretary,Mr Fabian Nwankwo
According to him, the Aspirants were screened on the basis of conduct and other vital information including the verification of their certificates.
He said that the aspirants were also screened on the record of past involvement of crime,thuggery and campaign of calumny, adding that they were to make available to the party, information that were verifiable,as regards to their curriculum vitae, adding that every certificate was put under scrutiny to ascertain its authenticity.
Relaying the guidelines for the primary elections as adopted by the party, the aspirants were warned not to involve in any act capable of infringing on the electoral guidelines,as any one caught undermining the electoral guidelines or the party’s constitution, would be disqualified.
He reminded the aspirants on the importance of jettisoning any form of intimidation, bickering and propaganda on other aspirants, as a disciplinary committee has been set up to discipline any airing aspirants.
The Publicity Secretary disclosed that the party in its fairness would give a level playing ground to the over 200 aspirants who showed interest to run for either the Governorship, Senate, Federal House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly seats.
Aspirants
“Out of the 200 aspirants, only 36 aspirants will emerge victoriously at the party’s primary elections, with one aspirant emerging as the Governorship candidate, three emerging as senatorial candidates across the senatorial districts, eight House of Representatives candidates and 24 State House of Assembly candidates”.
He further stated that the party would not tolerate or entertain any list containing the names of the three man adhoc delegates from any individual or group of individuals, as the list of the adhoc delegates would only be made known by the National leadership of the party, having put the adhoc delegate forms for sale, with their criteria adequately spelt out.
“For instance, to be an adhoc delegate,you must be a good citizen with no past record of criminality, you must have resigned any political position you are holding, you must not be a civil servant and you must be a man or a woman with good character.
“After the sale of forms,the people with the highest votes will be chosen as the adhoc delegates”.
On the other hand,”We also have the Statutory delegates made up of those occupying principal positions in the state, incumbent and ex political office holders”,he stated.
The Publicity Secretary also revealed that as part of the screening exercise,the aspirants were subjected to a clearance form from the court,that would guarantee their behaviour after the elections. “That even after their victory, they will not defect to other political parties”.He urged them to stay in the party and fight it out and avoid jumping from one party to the other.
However,he,advised the aspirants to stand strong,be vocal and bold to approach any situation and as well, put strategies to convince delegates to vote for them.
Meanwhile, Nwankwo noted that the party does not compensate anyone screened out of the race,but added that the government in power could be magnanimous enough to settle such an aspirant with an elective position.
