The presidency has begun the process of filtering aspirants under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against some loyalty indicators, a process which some pundits believe might put spanners on the wheel of some aspirants.
According to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, it has risk assessment and candidate valuation for aspirants jostling for various political offices.
The office is carrying out the project in conjunction with Nigerian Economic and Political Action Committee (NEPAC).
The assessment, tagged ‘Presidential Support Base Programme’, would evaluate and shortlist aspirants on a classified basis.
The Director General of NEPAC, Dr. Godson Nnaka, said in a statement on Sunday that the assessment would ensure that only those with the tendency of maximum loyalty to President Goodluck Jonathan are supported to win elections.
Apparently, the presidency was out to avert a situation whereby elected officers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be disloyal to the party.
“The objectives of this programme is to identify, evaluate and shortlist aspirants on classified basis, who, if supported to victory, will maintain maximum loyalty and be part of a strong support base for President Jonathan beyond 2015,” he said.
The assessment, according to Nnaka, would be conducted in the six geo-political zones for National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly aspirants, while Abuja would host gubernatorial aspirants.
Pundits fear this process might be manipulated by those better connected to the Presidency and other influential members of the party to knock off opponents and gain undue advantages.
