The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced the screening of presidential aspirants seeking to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 general elections.
The exercise is being conducted secretly at a popular hotel in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and other party leaders are already at the venue of the exercise.
Among the aspirants set to be screened are National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and former ministers Rotimi Amaechi, Ogbonaya Onu, Godswill Akpabio and Chukwuemeja Nwajiuba.
Serving governors who are also listed for the screening are Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa).
Others are former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole and serving Senators Ibikunle Amosun, Ajayi Boroffice, Rochas Okorocha.
President Buhari’s running mate in 2011, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Nicholas Felix, Ahmad Rufai Sani, Tein Jack-Rich, Ikeobasi Mokelu are also expected to face the screening panel.
Contrary to expectations in some quarters and the initial confusion over the exact number of aspirants in the race, as it turned out former president Goodluck Jonathan’s name is nowhere to be found on the screening list.
The APC had already shifted the screening exercise twice before arriving at today. The party is yet to announce the mode of choosing its presidential election whether it will be through delegate election or consensus. There had been rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari will annoint one of the aspirants .
Opposition Peoples Democratic Party on last Saturday elected its 2019 presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as the candidate for 2023 presidential election after a keenly contest primary election where Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was a major challenger.