Some of the aspirants vying for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general election, on Monday, faced the party’s screening panel as they were interrogated on no fewer than 10 key issues including their dual citizenship and consensus.
The aspirants were screened by the presidential screening committee of the APC led by the party former National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
Some of the aspirants screened by the committee on Monday include the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu; Governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa); the immediate past Ministers Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Emeka Nwajiuba (State for Education); Senator representing Ondo-North, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice; Pastor Tunde Bakare, and Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.
Reports earlier emerged that the ruling party may adopt consensus, but the APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi, in an interview with Voice of America Hausa Service on May 26, said it would not be feasible for electing the party’s presidential candidate.
However, the chairman of the party’s presidential screening committee, Odigie-Oyegun, disclosed that the panel asked the presidential aspirants if they would be ready to step down for the consensus candidate of the party.
It was gathered that the aspirants were also questioned on consensus and foreign citizenship at the screening held at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Monday.
The questions the aspirants were asked include, “Do you have dual citizenship? Are you the subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission? Have you been arraigned by the Code of Conduct Bureau? And have you ever been convicted for a crime?”
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Other questions asked include, “Have you ever been declared bankrupt? Will you be willing to step down for a consensus candidate? What is your manifesto? Will you abide by the party’s objectives and manifesto? What is your APC membership status?”
The presidential hopefuls were also asked to present original copies of their credentials including school certificates.
An aspirant, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “They asked us pretty much the same questions. They asked about our record with anti-graft agencies, citizenship status, finances and our manifestoes. Of course, there were a few follow up questions depending on the responses given.
“They asked if I had any EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) or ICPC (Independent Corrupt Pactactics and other related offences Commission) case.
“They asked about my manifesto and also asked me if I would be willing to step down in the event of a consensus. I told them I am a party man and will abide by the wishes of the APC,” PUNCH quoted the aspirant as saying.
The issue of dual citizenship has been a controversial issue in Nigerian politics with an Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal ruling in 2019 that people who had sworn allegiance to a foreign country and acquired foreign citizenship ought not to hold public office.
The judgment was, however, upturned by the Court of Appeal.
It was learnt that in some countries like the United States, foreigners, who obtain citizenship through naturalisation, are usually made to swear an allegiance to that country.
Such allegiance to a foreign power is usually seen as an albatross on the necks of those seeking sensitive public offices in Nigeria.
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