By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The screening committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the June 23, 2021 primary election of the party has disqualified former Special Adviser on Technical Matters to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo.

Others disqualified from contesting for the ticket of the party include Member Representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Chuma Umeoji, Cater Dike Umeh, Hon Nonso Smart and Ozoka Odera Ifeanyi.

Cleared to take part in the primary contest are former Central Bank Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, Damian Okolo, ThankGod Ibe and Okwudili Ezenwankwo.

The decision of the party screening committee was contained in its resolution signed by the party National Organizing Secretary Ifeanyi Mbaeri.

He said the decision of the screening committee is liable to veto only by the National Working Committee of the party, in terms of eligibility of prospective aspirants to contest the Anambra governorship primary of the party.

Reacting to his disqualification, the Director General, Media, Publicity and Strategy of Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpo Campaign Organisation, Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili, said in a statement to New Express that the screening committee’s reasons for his disqualification include that he was less than 18 months in the party, Required NWC waiver and that his nominators fell short of the 2/3 spread of APGA members in the 21 LGA of Anambra State.

He however observed that the aspirants not cleared have the option of appealing the decision of the committee.

The statement partly reads: “The result of the screening conducted by the APGA National Working Committee NWC, was realised on social media around 10am on Tuesday. It said, the APGA frontline governorship aspirant Nze Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo was not cleared giving the following reasons;

1. Less than 18 months in the party
2. Required NWC Waiver. Waiver neither applied for nor obtained
3. His nominators fell short of the 2/3 spread of APGA members in the 21 LGA of Anambra state

“Therefore, the committee deemed it possible not to clear Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo to contest for the primary. We understand of course that the aspirants not cleared has the option of appealing the decision of the committee.

“We at Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo Governorship Campaign organisation, hereby, will like to emphasize and to commend the aspirants who cooperated in no small measure for the success of this exercise. We extend hearty congratulations to the aspirants who were successfully screened and cleared.”

While hailing the committee for the diligent exercise, he assured that the report would be transferred to the appeal committee for necessary action.

He called on all the aspirants that were not cleared to continue to trust and work for the party, and follow due process to address grievances, if any.

“We will like to seize the opportunity to thank the party for finding us worthy to participate in the exercise. Also, we thank the leader of our great party His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano the hardworking governor of Anambra state for ensuring that internal democracy reigns supreme in the APGA party.

“To all the members of our campaign organization; the strategic planning team, the numerous support and solidarity groups across the state, we call on you to stay on your duty posts, and continue to work for the success of APGA in the forthcoming election.

“We are definite that it’s God that makes kings, even at this moment, the will of God will stay supreme,” Chuma-Odili added.