By Kolade Larewaju
THE screening of  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirants in the South-West kicked off  Tuesday in Abeokuta with aspirants arriving for the exercise being conducted by the Committee headed by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

Only aspirants from Ogun, Lagos and Oyo States are expected at the screening as governorship elections would hold only in those states having lost Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun States to opposition parties at the law courts.

Incidentally, only the incumbent governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, is seeking a second term in the region.

He was already through with the screening by 5.30 pm, coming out of the venue of the event beaming with smile and telling his supporters of the provisional approval granted him after fulfilling the requirements.

Governor Alao-Akala was given preference to quickly appear after he came as a sitting Governor. After his screening, he immidiately left the venue back to Ibadan.

Lagos was the first to be screened and three aspirants had already received their Provisional Clearance Cerificate before Governor Alao-Akala was called in.

Also given preference was Senator Kola Bajomo as a sitting Senator. He was before the Committee at the time of filling the report.

Aspirants who arrived early for the screening scheduled to commence at 1.00 pm at the Presidential Lodge were mostly from Ogun and Lagos states and were each given forms for their documentation which required photocopies of tax clearance certificate and a host of other things. They were, however, closely followed by aspirants from Oyo State.

Chairman of the screening committee, Senator Ita-Giwa said the exercise would take two days and that seven aspirants were expected from Lagos, four from Oyo and 18 from Ogun State, adding that her committee would adhere strictly to the time allotted by the guidelines of the party.

The committee, she said, would not witch-hunt any aspirant, adding that they were only to ensure that their documentations were proper and verified and to make sure that none of them had been in jail.

She said after the exercise those found worthy would be given Provisional Clearance Certificate.

Aspirants who arrived early for the exercise from Ogun include, Chief Leye Odunjo, Alhaji Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Senator Kola Bajomo, Chief Jide Taiwo, Mr. Kola Lawal, Gen Adetunji Olurin (rtd), Commander Rasheed Raji (rtd), Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, Rev. Jide Awosedo, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, and Chief Bashiru Akinyemi.

From Lagos were Engr. Olatokunbo Kamson, Chief Femi Pedro, Chief Ade Dosumu, Chief  Demola Seriki and Chief Babajide Olalere Gbadamosi

Contenders from Oyo State include, one-time deputy to Governor Alao-Akala, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo and Elder Wole Oyelese.