The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, screened its only presidential aspirant, Sandy Onor, and 25 governorship aspirants from 17 states on Thursday.
The screening exercise was said to have been held at the PDP Legacy House in Abuja.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, said it was continuing its electoral processes following the resolution of its leadership crisis by the Supreme Court.
Nnorom said the court affirmed the National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
She said, “Only one presidential candidate and 25 governorship aspirants from 17 states will be screened by the PDP. Others are still polishing their documentation for another screening opportunity.”
The party said the presidential screening committee was chaired by Okezie Ikpeazu, while Ahmed Makarfi headed the governorship screening committee.
Onor Backs Scrapping Of Subsidies
Speaking after the exercise, Onor supported President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy, which he said was a bold decision that freed funds for development.
He said, “All Nigerians agreed that subsidy was a problem and a stronghold of corruption.
“This president came on his very first day in office, removed the subsidy and released a lot of money for development.”
But Onor called for more accountability in the funds’ management.
A Plateau governorship aspirant, Kefiano Ropshik, said he had been screened and cleared to contest the party primary.
He said, “I was at the PDP Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, earlier today for my screening exercise; another important step in this noble journey to serve the good people of Plateau State as their Governor.
“Vision is clear, resolve is strong, and mission rolls on.”
David Ombugadu, a Nasarawa aspirant, claimed that he won the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections in the state, citing results uploaded on the INEC iREV portal.
He called on the media and civil society organisations to take on more active roles in safeguarding votes during elections.
Others aspirants screened were, Kelechi Anosike, Onuogbu Ogba, Kayode Ogunshola, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Samson Nnamani, Mustapha Lamido, David Emmanuel, Oladimeji Hassan, Alex Ladan, Adamu Ahmed, Suleiman Kawu and Mohammed Bello.
The party said it would hold its governorship primaries on May 24, while the presidential primary is set for May 26.
