The All Progressives Congress (APC) has again postponed indefinitely, the screening exercise for its presidential aspirants earlier scheduled to commence today, Monday, May 23rd, 2022.
Barr. Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, who announced this, expressed regret for the inconveniences..
“A new date for the screening exercise will be announced shortly,” he said in Abuja.
The image-maker, however, did not give reasons for the postponement.
Persecondnews recalls that close to 18 presidential aspirants are to be screened by the APC Presidential Screening Committee for the party’s ticket for 2023 polls.
The aspirants include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, and Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who was until recently, the Minister of Transportation.
Others are former Minister of Niger Delta Development , Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Former Imo governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha and former Ogun governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Cross River governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, and his Ebonyi counterpart, Gov. Dave Umahi are also in the race.
The Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former President of the Senate, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Jigawa Governor, Mohammed Abubakar are also in the race.
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, former Zamfara Governor, Sen. Ahmed Yerima, the only APC female aspirant, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Pastor Nicholas Nwagbo and a former Speaker of they House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole are jostling for the presidency.
Source at the party’s Secretariat told Persecondnews that the leadership of the party is not, however, “comfortable” with the many presidential aspirants not likely to bow to call for a concensus candidate or prune down the number to allow for a hitch-free exercise and also be devoid of disqualification that will create tension or crisis ahead of the 2023 election”
Another APC chieftain, who did not want to be named, said the party is also watching with keen interest, the happenings and unfolding events within the opposition party, the PDP.
“Any step taken by the PDP is of great interest to our party. It will also guide the decision of the APC and this delay may have been deliberate to allow the PDP complete its screening and primaries,” he said.
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