Forty three PDP governorship aspirants in the South-East were screened to contest the 2015 governorship election in the state, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), the party’s National Vice Chairman in the zone, has said.
Akobundu told NAN in Enugu on Sunday that the exercise was successful as the aspirants conducted themselves as expected.
On the N1 million screening fee paid by each of the 43 aspirants, Akobundu said the money should be seen as “party dues”.
He said the aspirants were expected to have paid their dues earlier. “The aspirants only paid their party dues.
“Party dues are collected everywhere for aspirants wishing to contest elections at the state Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives and Senate.
“Party chairmen from different states demand the money from the aspirants and remit same to the zonal office,” he said.
Meanwhile, NAN gathered that the 43 aspirants were yet to collect their certificates of clearance from the screening committee.
Some of the aspirants screened by the committee included Chief Emeka Ihedioha, deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Sen. Chris Anyanwu (Imo) and Sen. Ayogu Eze (Enugu).
Others are Rep. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu state), Chief Eugene Odo, Speaker, Enugu State Assembly and Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume (Imo).