By Nefishetu Yakubu
The aspirants seeking African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship tickets have commended the party’s screening exercise, describing it as transparent, professional and in line with national democratic standards.
Speaking after the exercise in Abuja on Monday, Sen. Mohamed Onawo, representing Nasarawa South
and chairman, Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, described the screening process as transparent.
Onawo said the committee members were professional, thorough and fair in assessing documents and asking relevant questions.
He expressed confidence in ADC’s electoral chances, especially in his state, citing past leadership experience and public goodwill.
The senator said ADC remained well positioned to defeat rival parties due to internal crises confronting some major political opponents.
On party primaries, Onawo declared support for consensus arrangement, saying that it would promote unity and reduce post-primary divisions.
He expressed total confidence in the party’s leadership and maintained that ADC would emerge stronger, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, a former Governor of Adamawa, Sen Mohammed Jibrilla, popularly called Bindow, applauded the committee for conducting thorough, transparent and intellectually-engaging exercise, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On his part, a Delta governorship aspirant, Great Ogboru, promised an equal opportunity development initiative to ensure every local government received dedicated monthly funds for grassroots development.
Ogboru said that the initiative would guarantee localised implementation of projects to prevent exclusion and accelerate simultaneous development across all councils.
Also, a Labour Party 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, described the screening as a critical safeguard against future legal disputes and a demonstration of institutional strength.
Rhodes-Vivour said the process was necessary to ensure that all contestants had valid documentation and met required standards before emerging as candidates.
According to the aspirant, parties that follow due process are better positioned to endure and provide credible leadership.
“Having participated in similar exercises previously, I am pleased with the professionalism and thoroughness of the committee,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
He urged voters to elect leaders committed to public service rather than personal enrichment or elite patronage.
The governorship aspirant expressed confidence in stronger political performance than in previous elections.
He said that sustained coalition-building, strategic relationship development and expanding influence in previously weak areas had strengthened his political base.
He added that continuous grassroots engagement beyond election cycles had positioned his campaign for a more formidable outing in 2027.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that governorship aspirants from Jigawa, Delta, Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Bauchi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kebbi and other states also commended the party’s screening process.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
NY/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
