19 aspirants have been booted out of the race for various offices
at the forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress
(APC), according to details released by the screening Appeal Committee.
A report by The Nation revealed that the committee, however, said their cases would be reviewed strictly on merit.
It added it has received 16 petitions from party members against
disqualification or some of the aspirants the committee screened.
Chairman of the Appeals Subcommittee, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, told
newsmen during one of the sittings of the committee yesterday it has not
received any petition against any of those aspiring for the offices of
the national chairman and national secretary.
He disclosed that the committee hopes to submit its final report to
the convention committee tomorrow, adding that aside petitions against
some of the aspirants, there was one general petition demanding for
justice.
The Imo State governor added, the petitioner wanted to know if
members of the National Working Committee can be judged in their own
cases having presided over the various congresses.
According to him: “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 are 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 barring 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.”
He added: “We are unmindful of the fact 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. We are going to use the screening committee
report as a major guide to what we are doing.
“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 were petitioned against, he said: “Of course we
have petitions against all other positions except that of the national
chairman and national secretary.”
On whether the committee has powers to disqualify those already screened and qualified, 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 powers to uphold his qualification or
disqualify him based on the merits of the petition.”