The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday screened President Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa for the party’s primary for the 2015 presidential race.
President Jonathan, who was first to arrive the national headquarters of the party in Abuja where the screening took place, came with his deputy, Namadi Sambo; some ministers and a few of his aides.
Also in the entourage were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.
The screening committee, headed by a former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, grilled the President between 3.15pm and 4.15pm.
Other members of the committee are a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN); Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi, Bashir Dalhatu, Walin Dutse, Chief Jim Nwobodo, Prof. Stella Atoe, Chief Jibrin Martins Kuye, Ms. Saudatu Sani, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, while Chief Olusola Oke serves as secretary.
Though the President didn’t speak with journalists after he came out of the building, it was however gathered that the committee demanded originals of his membership card, proof of his financial contributions to the party, educational qualifications and tax clearance certificate.
The committee also demanded the same items from Balewa.
The third presidential aspirant, Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola, was denied the party’s nomination form when she came to pick hers.
Though she paid for the form, Duke-Abiola and Tafawa-Balewa were told by the officers of the party that only one presidential form was printed by the party and that the form was meant for the President.
However, the party later had a change of mind and gave the form to Tafawa-Balewa.
With this screening, Tafawa-Balewa, who is perceived as a weak challenger, if cleared, would slug it out with the President for the party’s sole presidential ticket at its convention slated for December 10 and 11.
While the first day is expected to be used to ratify the appointment of the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, as the party’s substantive chairman, the following day will be used to pick the party’s presidential candidate.
Speaking on the screening, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the party would be waiting for the report of the committee before knowing what to do.
He said, “We don’t know the outcome, the screening panel will inform the leadership of the party of the outcome and submit their result in accordance with the constitution and guideline of our party.”
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