One of the contenders for the position of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, may have been technically disqualified from contesting for the top job of the party on Saturday going by his absence at the screening exercise
Findings by our correspondents have revealed that the former governor of Nasarawa State did not take part in the screening exercise organised by the party on Tuesday.
The Secretary of the APC National Convention Screening Committee,
Emmanuel Otagburuagu, had in a statement on Monday in Abuja
said the aspirants would be screened in two batches at the Katsina State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
The statement had read, “The National Convention Screening Sub-Committee has invited aspirants for the exercise.
“Gov. Aminu Masari, Chairman, Dimeji Bankole, Co-Chairman of the APC 2022 National Convention Screening Committee, hereby invite all the aspirants to the screening exercise.
“The schedule for the screening is as follows:
“1. Tuesday, March 22, 2022: Screening of National Chairman and other National Working Committee (NWC) aspirants, while time will be communicated to aspirants later.
“Venue: Katsina State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
“2. Wednesday, March, 23, 2022: Screening of aspirants into the Zonal offices. Time: 10a.m
“Venue: Katsina State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.
“The new national executives are expected to be elected at the APC National Convention on Saturday, March 26 to manage its affairs, which is presently being managed by the Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).”
Among the National chairmanship aspirants to be screened by the committee are two former Nasarawa State governors and serving senators Tanko Al-Makura and Abdullahi Adamu.
Also to be screened are a former governor of Benue State and Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, Niger East senator, Mohammed Sani Musa, a former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Saliu Mustapha and 37 year old Mohammed Etsu.
However, our correspondent reliably gathered on Wednesday that Senator Abdullahi Adamu did not appear for screening as of the close of the exercise for the chairmanship aspirants on Tuesday.
A source among the committee said, “Only one aspirant, Adamu Abdullahi, did not appear for screening”
“He was said to be too tired after his journey to Lagos on Tuesday. It is not certain whether we would screen any chairmanship aspirant again today (Wednesday), because we are proceeding with other offices as stated on our timetable, ” the source added.
Attempts to speak with Adamu as of the time of filling this report failed on Wednesday as he could not be reached on phone.
He had also yet to reply the message sent to him as of the time of sending this report.