APGA disqualifies Soludo, five Others

All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) wont't  have former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo as its governorship candidate in the upcoming November election.

He failed to scale through the party's pre-qualifying screening.

APGA's screening committee disqualified six of its aspirants, Soludo.

The panel in a statement issued Friday and signed by its chairman, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi and  Secretary, Mr. If rani Mbaeri and a member, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, said at the conclusion of the panel's sitting, six of aspirant's failed to scale through the test.

The other aspirants that failed the screening include, Mr. Emmanuel Nweke, Ogbuefi Tony Nnaechetta, Mr. Chinedu Francis Idigo, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Mr. Oseloka Obaze.

The panel however said that seven aspirants were successful. They included Hon. Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Nwogbo, Mr. Paul Odenigbo, Hon. Uche Lillian Ekwunife, Chief Willie Obiano, Mr. John Nwosu, Mr. John Okechukwu Emeka and Nwachi Patrick Obianwu.

A panel insider confided in THE RAINBOW that the aspirants were disqualified for failing to meet set criteria.

Some of the reasons given for not clearing the aspirants included: non-presentation of the party's voters card, lack of evidence of financial strength to execute the campaign, incomplete certificate, and inability to submit tax clearance.

A party faithful, who was disappointed by the development, said that the party had lost a great opportunity to present a solid candidate by disqualifying Soludo.

The faithful, who would not want to be named, alleged a gang up of the leadership of the party, because they did not trust him.