Okorocha’s Committee successfully screens 19 Aspirants ahead of APC Convention

Ahead of the June 23 All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention, the party’s Screening Appeals Committee led by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has screened out 19 aspirants seeking for various party offices.

Okorocha made this known to newsmen on Saturday, adding that the sub-committee which he chairs was yet to receive any petition against any of those aspiring for the offices of the national chairman and national secretary.

He said, “Our committee which is the sub committee established by the national convention committee has the responsibility to entertain petitions and appeal arising from the screening committee report for all offices of the party.

“We have been sitting for a number of days now and we have received several petitions. We have made it public that anyone who is petitioning or being petitioned against should make available documents to support his claim or to defend himself.

“As you can see, we have started receiving petitions and appeals. Right now, we have seven aspirants here. We have resolved to give everyone a fair hearing so that Justice, equity and fairness will prevail so that we prevent crisis in the party.

“We have carefully selected Nigerians from all works of life from different states that constitute membership of this committee. We have two days to do this job and we will be submitting our report by Monday barely any other reason. We are here to work all day and all night and take our decision.

“The screening appeal is the final appeal in this case. After this appeal committee, the next appeal will be after election appeal which will come after the convention. We are unmindful of the fact that the convention committee will need time to start printing of ballot papers for the convention and so, we will ensure that we complete this job on time.

“So far, we have about 18 petitions before us and we have 19 persons that did not make it at the screening level. These are the things we are looking to see the merit or otherwise of their claims.”

According to Okorocha, who is also the chairman of Progressives Governors’ Forum, the report of the screening committee will also be used as a major guide to “what we are doing and as soon as we are through with this, we are going to make it known to the public those who have succeeded at the appeals committee level.”

On those who are screened out by the committee stand disqualified he said, “Yes, if you don’t make the appeal screening, you are disqualified because there is no other appeal after this.

“If the appeals committee upholds the position of the screening on the 19 persons, it means they have been disqualified from contesting the election. If there is anybody who has been screened and there is a petition against him, we have power to uphold his qualification or disqualify him based on the merits of the petition.”