APC inaugurates screening panels for Kogi, Bayelsa – TheNigerialawyer

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Committee, Adams
Oshiomhole, said the party had become wiser from court’s judgements
which disqualified its candidates in the past.

Oshiomhole spoke during the inauguration of the Governorship
Screening Committees for the APC aspirants for the August 29 Kogi
and Bayelsa state primaries.

Senator Hope Uzodinma is heading the Kogi screening committee,
while Senator Abdullahi Gumel is heading that of Bayelsa.

Oshiomhole said, “Many put it that screening is a formality but
because of our own peculiarity, people are sometimes economical
with the truth. We need to do proper screening and ensure that
those who pass the screening are likely to be able to stand the
chances not only of winning election but of not being challenged
after.

“We have a couple of cases where people claimed what they didn’t
have or they swore to affidavits such that they have two, three
ages depending on what purpose they are swearing affidavit
for.”

Oshiomhole urged the committees to observe contradiction in
aspirants claims and examine issues raised against them without
sentiment or partiality.

“If we allow someone who is clearly ineligible to contest
election, there will be another road block. Our opponent can point
out those contradictions and in the end our party candidature might
be in jeopardy,” he said.

Oshiomhole said the screening of the aspirants should take place
at the states party secretariats in Lokoja and Yenagoa, urging the
committees to discharge their duties without fear or favour and to
be fair to all.