Sambo chairs PDP committee to screen Saraki, Atiku, Tambuwal, others

A former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, was on Thursday night named as the chairman of the 10-member committee that would screen the 13 presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Other members of the committee are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; a former President of the Senate, Iyorcha Ayu, and Chief Tom Ikimi.

Also on the list are Chief Okwesikizie Nwodo, Hajia Ina Ciroma, Mrs Kema Chikwe, Dr Haliru  Bello,  Chief Ebenezer Babatope and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.

The aspirants that will be screened are a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.

Others said to have been invited are President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki; a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark;  a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki  (SAN); a former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jona Jang;  and a former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Others expected at the meeting are a former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed and Usifo Stanley.

The screening will take place at the national headquarters of the party on Monday.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, is heading a 25-member appeal panel on the presidential screening.

The panel will sit on the appeal of aggrieved aspirants in Abuja, on Wednesday.