APC Screens 116 State, N’ Assembly Aspirants In Rivers

The seven-man screening
committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has begun screening of 116 aspirants vying for both National and State Assemblies positions for the party’s primaries slated for this month.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Idi Barde Gubana from Yobe Sate last Wednesday during the screening exercise at APC state secretariat in Port Harcourt gave a break-down of the 116 aspirants.
According to the chairman, 98 out of  the116 aspirants were vying for the state House of Assembly while 18 of them were for the National Assembly .
Gubana assured the aspirants of a fair exercise, irrespective of the aspirants, position and popularity in the party.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the state APC, Chief Davies Ibianmu Ikanya said the party was expecting more aspirants to join the legislative race, adding that the party’s guidelines did not restrict any new members from vying for position in the party irrespective of when he or she decamped to the party.
Ikanya also stated that all fresh aspirants for state Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate are  to be screened in the State, except the serving National Assembly members, who are seeking reelections who would be screened at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja along side with governorship aspirants .
The Rivers APC chair who promised a level playing ground for all aspirants to test their popularity, however, said the party was determined to produce credible candidates that would be the standard bearers to deliver on all elections come 2015.
The Tide learnt that no fewer than 50 aspirants had been screened so far as at last weekend.
According to sources, those screened included some current members of State House of Assembly and fresh aspirants warming up to represent their constituencies at the legislative house come 2015.
Some of the aspirants including Chief Clifford Njah, Dr Awajiromsan Dressman, Ibim Dagogo Duke and Hon Barango Tariah promised to enact laws that would better the lives of the people and consolidate development in the constituencies and the state.

Enoch Epelle

Rivers State APC governorship canddiate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside (left), completing his nomination and intent forms at the party secretariat, Port Harcourt last Thursday. With him are State Chairman, APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya (right) and other party faithfuls. Photo: Prince Dele Obinna