Forty three Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirants in the South-East were screened to contest the 2015 governorship election in the state, Austin Akobundu , the party’s National Vice Chairman in the zone, has said.

Mr. Akobundu said this in Enugu on Sunday.

He said the exercise was successful as the aspirants conducted themselves as expected.

On the N1 million screening fee paid by each of the 43 aspirants, Mr. Akobundu said the N1 million screening fee paid by each of the 43 aspirants should be seen as “party dues”.

“The aspirants only paid their party dues. Party dues are collected everywhere for aspirants wishing to contest elections at the state Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives and Senate,” he said.

“Party chairmen from different states demand the money from the aspirants and remit same to the zonal office,” Mr. Akobundu said.

Meanwhile, the 43 aspirants are yet to collect their certificates of clearance from the screening committee.

Some of the aspirants screened by the committee included Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chris Anyanwu (Imo – Senator) and Ayogu Eze (Enugu -Senator), Ifeanyi Ararume (Imo – Senator).

(NAN)