Former governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and five other aspirants have been disqualified from the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Screening Committee. In a statement issued yesterday by the chairman of the APGA Gubernatorial Screening Committee, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi, secretary, Bar. Ifeanyi Mbaeri and a member, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, the party said at the conclusion of the panel’s sitting, the six aspirants failed to scale through its test.
The aspirants are Emmanuel Nweke, Ogbuefi Tony Nnaechetta, Chinedu Francis Idigo, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, the immediate past secretary to Anambra State Government Oseloka Obaze and Soludo.
The panel however listed the successful seven aspirants as Hon Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Nwogbo, Paul Odenigbo, Hon Uche Lillian Ekwunife, Chief Willie Obiano, John Nwosu, John Okechukwu Emeka and Nwachi Patrick Obianwu.
It was learnt that at the panel did not clear the aspirants because some of them had no voter card, evidence of financial strength to execute their campaigns, incomplete certificate and their inability to submit tax clearance papers.
One of the affected aspirants, Idigo said he was surprised at the reason given by the panel for dropping him and promised to make another presentation to the appeal panel today.
In a reaction last night, Soludo said he was informed of the development and he had a good laugh.
Through his media assistant, Bonaventure Melah, Soludo said that without knowing the reason for the decision, he has accepted whatever action the party has taken. He said that he joined APGA to help build it into a formidable political party and will keep his eyes on that objective.
