By Jude Opara, Abuja
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) begins the screening of aspirants for the primary election ahead of the Ekiti state governorship election next year, the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Hon. Abdulraheem Tunji Olawuyi has assured all the aspirants that his committee will not give special consideration to anyone.
Olawuyi who spoke on Monday after the inauguration of his committee by the Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nzeh Chidi Duru, added that his committee has been given the free hand to deliver on the task ahead.
According to him, the task of the committee is simply to rely on the guidelines of the party and verify the documents submitted by the aspirants, to ensure that the party does not select a candidate that may not have fulfilled all the requirements of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“So far before now and immediately after the inauguration, nobody has called me to give me any instruction. I have just been given the party’s guidelines, I have been around for some time, I have contested three successful elections and you should know that I just have to passed through some screening exercise. So this is going to be our guide, there is no special consideration”.
The Committee Chairman, who is also a member of the House of Representatives said he has the competency to organize a screening that will be seen to be free and devoid of any manipulation for or against anyone.
“I’m a third term member of the House of Representatives, I am from Kwara state and I currently serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on North Central Development Commission.
“So far so good, we have four aspirants who have submitted their forms to the party. And we are being conscious of who we will submit as our candidate in the forthcoming election in Ekiti state”.
“Our assignment is very simple; to verify, to check all documents submitted by the aspirants, to make sure our party presents a credible candidate at the election.
“Apart from that, we won’t want our candidate to get to INEC before such is discovered, so on a good note I am very happy for this assignment, so on a good note I am very happy for this assignment, and as a loyal party member, I promise we will deliver on all fronts”.
He revealed that the screening will be handled in phases with the incumbent, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji and Hon. Abimbola Olajumoke on Tuesday, while Engr. Kayode Ojo and Omolayo Oluremi will have their day on Wednesday.
