The Names of Presidential Aspirants recommended by the John Odigie-Oyegun Presidential Screening Committee has emerged, POLITICS NIGERIA has learned.
On Friday, the committee submitted the results of the screening exercise to the National Chairman of the Party, Abdullahi Adamu. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the exercise, Oyegun revealed that out of 23 aspirants, the 13 were ‘shortlisted’ for the primaries.
Presidential sources reveal that contrary to widespread reports that 10 aspirants were ‘disqualified’, all aspirants were cleared and qualified but the committee recommended a ‘safe list’ of 13 names.
The names of the aspirants on the safe-list include;
- Bola Ahmed Tinubu
- Yemi Osinbajo
- Rotimi Amaechi
- Ahmed Lawan
- Yahaya Bello
- Kayode Fayemi
- Emeka Nwajiuba
- Ogbonnaya Onu
- Ibikunle Amosun
- David Umahi
- Abubakar Badaru
- Senator Godswill Akpabio
- Tein Jack Rich
Those not included in the list are;
- Rochas Okorocha
- Tunde Bakare
- Ben Ayade
- Sani Yerima
- Ken Nnamani
- Ikeobasi Mokelu
- Dimeji Bankole
- Felix Nicholas
- Robert Borrofice
- Uju Ken Ohanenye
Furthermore, it was gathered that the only aspirant that rejected the option of supporting a Consensus Candidate for the party should it arise was Bola Tinubu. The Lagos politician said he would only accept consensus if he was the beneficiary.
Speaking on the criteria for shortlisting the 13 candidates, Oyegun disclosed that the list would have been shorter but the committee decided to allow the party choose their preferred candidate.
He said; “First, we had 23 member aspirants that we interacted with. And my first comment is that we were very occupant. Those were 23 that presented themselves. We had a lot of others, prominent Nigerians both within and outside the country that had applied but for whatever reason, could not proceed with their applications.”
“The second point I want to make is that we were surprised at the active participation of the youthful members of the party. Some of them surprised us with what they have accomplished in life, their understanding of the situation in this country and why they want to have the privilege of governing this country.”
“Aside from the basic background, experience and understanding of the Nigerian situation, the ideas as to how issues, difficulties and problems can be addressed were key factors that were considered.”
The APC is scheduled to hold its Presidential Primaries on Monday, 6th of May.
Nigeria Federal Government, Why Not Operate Regionism? Is The Country Not too big For One President We Are Not of white Skin & Hair But We are Black Just because of The Southern Nigerian Oil and gas That Makes The Northerners to be Conspering with The Neighbouring Muslim Countries To fight,War,Oppress,Cheat The South With The Name of Minority and Majority.
Oyegun U and Your Commitee have Tried.Now Let The Party National Body Instruct All The Aspirants To Go back to Their Regions And Vote One Aspirants Each For The Final Battle.Before Saturday 4th June 12:00Mid Night
Why not go the American way if we seek to copy them. In the USA, the States contribute money to keep the Federal Government according to their individual ability by the size of their resources. This country needs to be restructured with the Fed only in charge of Central Banking, Internal Affairs, Military, Customs and External Affairs.