The 13 presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were screened in Abuja on Monday.
Their screening was the first hurdle the aspirants scaled through that would enable them to take part in the party’s presidential primary slated for October 5 and 6, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The screening, which was held at the party’s Presidential Campaign office popularly called Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, was conducted by the Namadi Sambo -led 10 member committee.
Other members of the committee are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; a former President of the Senate, Iyorcha Ayu, and Chief Tom Ikimi.
Also on the list are Chief Okwesikizie Nwodo, Hajia Ina Ciroma, Mrs Kema Chikwe, Dr Haliru Bello, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.
Among those that had appeared before the committee were a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki; a former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jona Jang; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Governor of Kaduna State, and Senator Ahmed Makarfi, among others.
Some of the aspirants, who spoke with journalists shortly after the exercise, said the screening was free, fair and friendly.
The aspirants, who included Atiku, Tambuwal, Mark, Jang and Saraki, expressed confidence in the 10-man committee.
On his part, Mark stated that the exercise went on smoothly and urged the leadership of the party to continue in the “right direction.”
The exercise is expected to continue on Saturday morning for other aspirants who were unable to make it on Monday.
