The former Imo state Governor and representative of Imo West in the Nigerian Senate, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has appeared before the presidential screening committee of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) beating the deadline on Tuesday.
Brief background to the story
The presidential aspirant has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting public funds of N2.9 billion. A federal high court in Abuja, however, granted the former governor bail on terms including a fee of N500 million or a surety in like sum, submission of his passport, etc. The Senator fulfilled the terms just in time for the APC’s screening exercise.
Why it matters
The possibility of Senator Rochas Okorocha appearing before the APC’s presidential screening committee led by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had been a subject of political discussion following an ongoing investigation by the EFCC.
What you should know
- Aspirants screened by the party’s committee includes Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello, and Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
- Others are the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and oil merchant, Tein Jack, etc.
- The committee on Monday interviewed Pastor Tunde Bakare and former governor of Lagos State, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and many more.
- APC’s presidential primaries would be held from June 6th through 8th 2022.