The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, screened seven governorship aspirants for its upcoming primary election in Ondo State.
The screening took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The aspirants included Adeolu Akinwumi, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, Kolade Akinjo, Elder Bosun Arebuwa, John Mafo and Agboola Ajayi.
Ajayi was deputy to late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during his first term.
The aspirants were screened by Senator Sam Egwu led Screening Committee with Sen. Isa Lau, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Mrs Olivia Dazyman, Tanko Beji, Mrs Gladys Ashemuke as members.
Others were Chief Rahman Owokoniran as Secretary and Caroline Akinsete as Administrative Secretary.
Egwu, a former governor of Ebonyi State, told newsmen around 3.30pm that all the aspirants presented themselves for screening.
He, however, said some of the aspirants, whose documents were not complete, promised to come back to complete the aspect of documentation.
He said that the committee would present its report to the party after the conclusion of the exercise.
“We feel like everyone should have a level playing ground, with no opportunity to say they were screened out deliberately.
“The screening is going on till 5pm pm today. PDP is the party that wants to give people opportunity provided you play by the rules of the game.
“If a candidate tells us he forgot a document and he is going to bring his document before 5pm, Why not?
“We don’t want to give them the impression that the party has a candidate it supports. Only few persons are involved in this case,” he said.
However, Egwu refused to speak again with newsmen after the conclusion of the exercise by 6pm.
Though none of the aspirants spoke with newsmen, only two of them, Ebiseni and Ajayi, displayed their clearance certificates before the camera.
