Names of the presidential aspirants to contest the Monday, 6th of May primary election of the rulling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been unveiled.
The Presidential Screening Committee led by John Odigie-Oyegun, submitted its report on Friday to the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, recommending 13 names under what it called ‘a safe list.’
A top party source, however, said that contrary to widespread reports that 10 aspirants were ‘disqualified’, all aspirants were cleared and qualified but the committee recommended a ‘safe list’ of 13 names.
The names of the aspirants on the safe-list are
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Yemi Osinbajo
Rotimi Amaechi
Ahmed Lawan
Yahaya Bello
Kayode Fayemi
Emeka Nwajiuba
Ogbonnaya Onu
Ibikunle Amosun
David Umahi
Abubakar Badaru
Senator Godswill Akpabio
Tein Jack Rich
But those not included in the safe list are
Rochas Okorocha
Tunde Bakare
Ben Ayade
Sani Yerima
Ken Nnamani
Ikeobasi Mokelu
Dimeji Bankole
Felix Nicholas
Robert Borrofice
Uju Ken Ohanenye.
Also, the source, who pleaded anonymity, said the only aspirant that rejected the option of supporting a consensus candidate if there should be a need for it was Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the two-term Lagos governor said he would only accept consensus if he was the beneficiary.
It would be recalled that Odigie-Oyegun at the event revealed that out of 13 out of 23 aspirants were shortlisted for the primaries.
Speaking on the criteria for shortlisting the 13 candidates, he disclosed that the list would have been shorter but the committee decided to allow the party choose their preferred candidate.
He said: “First, we had 23 member aspirants that we interacted with. And my first comment is that we were very occupant. Those were 23 that presented themselves. We had a lot of others, prominent Nigerians both within and outside the country that had applied but for whatever reason, could not proceed with their applications.
“The second point I want to make is that we were surprised at the active participation of the youthful members of the party. Some of them surprised us with what they have accomplished in life, their understanding of the situation in this country and why they want to have the privilege of governing this country.”
“Aside from the basic background, experience and understanding of the Nigerian situation, the ideas as to how issues, difficulties and problems can be addressed were key factors that were considered.”