PDP Names Panel To Screen Presidential Aspirants

Source: THEWILL. - thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 09, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday released the names of the members of the panel that will screen the party’s four Presidential aspirants.


According to a statement by the National Organizing Secretary, Prince Uche Sekondus, the 10-man panel is chaired by a former Ambassador to the United States of America, Alhaji Aminu Wali while Chief Sylvester Okonkwo will serve as Secretary.


Other members of the panel are Chief Innocent Nwoga, Senator C.K. Awoyelu, Chief Franks Adonkumoh, Alhaji Ibrahim Abba Gubio, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Dr. Nuhu Zagbayi, Hajia Zainab Maina, and Mrs. Linda Doughlas Nwibani.


The PDP Presidential aspirants are President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mrs. Sarah Jubril and Alhaju Sani Dustinma.


The panel will be inaugurated on Monday according to the statement obtained by THEWILL.


The PDP has also set up a 36-member national convention planning committee to organize its national convention slated for Thursday, January 13, 2010.


The committee, which will also be inaugurated on Monday according Sekondus, is chaired by Dr. Shettima Mustafa while Chief Ojo Maduekwe will serve as Secretary.


Members of the body include Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Godwill Akpabio; Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala; Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje; Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; Abia State Governor, Mr. Theodore Orji and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.


Other members are Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Suleiman Adoke, Senator Anthony Manzo, Honourable Patty Etete, Honourable Nnenna Ukeje, Honourable Ajibade Babalade, Honourable Hembe, Honourable Jerry Manwe, Honourable Sada Sohi Jibia, Ahmadu Adamu Muazu, Dr. Ombo Isokarari, and Chief Bola Olu-Ojo.


Others are Edo State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih; Chief Mrs. Uzo Nwandu, Yusuf Ayitogo, Bashir Ibrahim, Mrs. Laiyatu Danladi, Chief Godwin Bozimo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Shuaib Oyedokun, Engr. Abdulkadir Kure, Hajia Zainab Maina, Alhaji Aminu Wali, (Mrs.) Stella Effa-Attoe and Hauwa Musa Kida.


The party has also released the guidelines for the conduct of its screening exercise and Presidential primary.


The guidelines stipulates that any aspirant dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening exercise shall appeal to an appeal screening committee which is made up of 12 members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and six members of the Board of Trustees, BoT (one each from the six zones). It added that any appellant whose petition is upheld by the panel shall be eligible to participate in the Presidential primary.


The guidelines also empowers the screening committee to determine which aspirant has been indicted, has a criminal record, dismissed from public service, belong to a secret cult or society and also determine whether aspirants have paid their taxes as at when due.


THEWILL gathered from the guidelines of the Presidential primary that delegates will vote by the Modified Open Ballot System (MOBS).


The guideline also empowers the National Electoral Panel to cancel the Presidential primary if the votes cast exceeds the number of delegates accredited to such an extent that it affects the result of the election.