By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA—Five presidential aspirants on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC, were yesterday screened by the Ogbonnaya Onu headed Presidential Screening Committee of the party in Abuja.

The aspirants included former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors of Kano and Imo States, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Chief Rochas Okorocha, and the publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Speaking to Journalists after going through the process, Atiku described the exercise as “hot seat”, saying he was now ready for the primaries.
“It was a hot seat because there were questions on the economy, security, etc. I have been on the campaign for more than two months now. I am set to go”, he said.

On his own part, Kano State Governor, Kwankwaso said only a transparent primary election would be acceptable to him.

He said: “Agreement or no agreement, once there is a transparent (primary) election not only me but the other aspirants will support who ever emerges. When we were in the PDP in 1999, we had a transparent primary. I have gone round the country and I have interacted with people both within the PDP and the APC, I can assure you that there are people within the PDP that have endorsed my aspiration and are willing to vote for me if I emerge.”

Nda-Isaiah while speaking to Journalists also described the screening as the “biggest job interview” in Nigeria.

“I did well. You know when you go for interview, you will know whether you passed or failed. So, I passed. It shows how serious the party is. This is the biggest job interview in Nigeria”, he said.

Similarly, General Mohammdu Buhari said the screening exercise was a success.

He said: “It went on well. They asked me what I think should be the answer in terms of security. They are all concerned about the state of affairs in this country, especially the unemployed youth and security. There is no Nigerian who is not aware that these are bigger problems.
Asked what he would expect next, he said “Well we have gone round to ask for understanding and support. My morale is high”.