From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee for Ekiti state governorship election has promised to be thorough and deligent in drilling the aspirants.
Chairman of the committee, Abdulraheem Tunji Olawuyi, who gave the assurance after the inauguration by the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, on Monday, warned the aspirants that his committee will not give any preferential treatment and special consideration to any of the aspirants.
Olawuyi also expressed happiness that the national leadership of the party gave his committee free hand to operate and deliver on the task ahead.
He further explained that 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 pass through some screening exercise. So, this is going to be our guide, there is no special consideration,” he warned.
Olawuyi, a serving member of the House of Representatives equally boasted that he has the competence to organise a screening that will be seen to be free and devoid of any manipulation for or against anyone.
“I am a third term member of the House of Representatives. I am from Kwara State and I am currently serving 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.
“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, and ensure that 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 and as a loyal party member, I promise we will deliver on all fronts,” he assured.
Olawuyi further revealed that the screening will be handled in phases with the incumbent, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Abimbola Olajumoke undergoing the screening on Tuesday, while Kayode Ojo and Omolayo Oluremi will appear before the committee on Wednesday.
