85 PDP aspirants jostling for 24 seats in Enugu assembly

At least 85 PDP aspirants have been screened to contest the 24 seats at the Enugu state house of assembly in 2015.

Bala Kaoje, chairman of the screening committee and former minister of sports, disclosed this in Enugu while addressing journalists on the outcome of the screening on Friday.

Kaoje, who adjudged the exercise as successful, commended the aspirants for their good conduct and orderliness.

“So far, so good. You can see the faces of all the aspirants that have come here to be screened. They are happy with the way we have done it,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“We did not take too long to check and access their documents.

“Many of them seem to know what they are doing. They all look very experienced politicians and they have provided the answers as requested.

“They made our work very easy; we did not have any problem with any aspirant.

“So far, we have screened about 85 people and we still have some more to screen.”

The former minister declined comment on the reason for the N150,000 screening fee paid by each aspirant, saying, “I cannot talk about what I do not know.”

He said the committee was able to bring the two PDP factions in the state together during the screening.

“Well, that was by the grace of God because if you put God first, you will always succeed.”

He said he was in touch with the two leaders, Sullivan Chime, governor of Enugu state, and Ike Ekweremadu, a senator, and was able to get them go into talking terms with the national chairman.

According to Kaoje, the national chairman summoned them and they agreed with one another that they should begin to reconcile among themselves.

“On the basis of that reconciliation, I was given the information to move to the party secretariat to conduct the screening.

“When they agreed, I advised both of them to speak to their men in Enugu, so that when they hear from them, they will cooperate with me.

“They contacted their men and that was why we moved down here and had a good screening under a very wonderful atmosphere.

“I am working with the two chairmen and cannot say who the authentic chairman is. It is for the National body of the party to decide that.”

The two factional chairmen of the party – Ikeje Asogwa and David Ajah – said the exercise was peaceful.