PDP screens Alao-Akala, 28 other S’West gov aspirants

Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, and 28 other governorship aspirants in the South West states on Tuesday appeared in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital for the screening of Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirants.

The screening, which was conducted by the national leadership of the party for governorship aspirants in the South-West, was done ahead of the party’s primaries slated for January 2011.

The exercise, which held at the Presidential Lodge, had Senator Florence Ita-Giwa as the chairman of the committee with two other officials of the party.

Our correspondent gathered that some of the aspirants, who arrived the venue of the screening in the early hours of the day, came with relevant documents, in line with the party’s directives.

Aspirants from Lagos State at the venue included former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Demola Seriki; a former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Femi Pedro; Mr. Tokunbo Kamson, Ade Dosunmu, Babajide Gbadamosi and Owolabi Salis.

Eighteen aspirants jostling for the seat in Ogun State were also present. Among them were the consensus candidate of the PDP in Ogun West Senatorial District, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka; Gen. Adetunji Olurin (retd.), Senator Kola Bajomo, Dr. Kunle Salako, Chief Jide Awosedo and Dr. Femi Majekodunmi.

Though Alao-Akala was present for the screening, Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo and a former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, were yet to arrive at press-time.

Speaking with newsmen, Ita-Giwa said the exercise would end by 6pm on Wednesday (today) and urged all aspirants to co-operate with the screening committee by providing them with useful information.

She said the committee would screen only 29 aspirants who had their names registered in the party materials handed over to them and promised that the committee would follow the stipulated guidelines strictly.

Ita-Giwa added that the result of the committee would be announced as soon as possible and promised that the committee would be fair to all aspirants.

She also said that any aspirant who felt dissatisfied with the result of the exercise could appeal to the relevant authorities within the party.

According to her, “Some of the criteria to follow in the exercise include credibility, criminal records and evidence of tax clearance.”

Source:Punch