President Goodluck Jonathan and his presumed challenger for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa, were put through a mock screening by the party in Abuja on Wednesday.
The PDP has already endorsed Mr. Jonathan for the 2015 election.
Today’s exercise was undertaken by a committee is headed by a former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali.
Three weeks ago, on November 6, Balewa said at a press conference in Abuja he had withdrawn his intention to enter the presidential primary and challenging President Jonathan for the PDP ticket.
At the event, which organised by Jonathan applause-leader Chief Edwin Clark, Tafawa-Balewa was quoted as saying he was already supporting the candidacy of Jonathan.
On November 14, however, he appeared at the PDP national headquarters following the submission of his Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms to contest the primary, and told journalists that he never withdrew from the race.
He explained, “I went to Baba Clark’s press briefing, and was asked a question and I responded that I have nothing to say, because it was Clark’s briefing.”
Other members of today’s screening committee were a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN); Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi, Bashir Dalhatu, Walin Dutse, Chief Jim Nwobodo and Mrs. Josephine Anenih. Chief Olusola Oke served as Member/Secretary.
Mr. Jonathan, who appeared at the event accompanied by a crowd, refused to speak with reporters afterwards.
The PDP convention is schedule for Abuja on December 10 and 11. In theory, the delegates will vote to choose between Mr. Jonathan and Tafawa-Balewa.
Before then, the screening committee is expected to submit its report, which would establish if there would be need for the appeal committee to sit should either aspirants tabled a complaint before it.
Members of the National Working Committee of the party, headed by its troubled chairman, Adamu Mu'azu, are also members of the appeal committee.