The Peoples Democratic Party has disqualified 4 out of the 17 governorship aspirants in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

This was the outcome of the screening conducted on Tuesday night in Abuja by the PDP’s five-man Screening Panel, headed by Alhaji Aminu Wali and presented by Mr. Austin Okpara, a member of the panel, who was also a former Deputy Speaker of River State House of Assembly.

Among those disqualified were Tony Nwoye, Sylvester Okonkwo, Ugochukwu Okeke and Onwuanyi Afameduna, and their disqualification were said to be based on what was described as tax matters.

The race however is now open to 13 aspirants, who are scheduled to go for the primaries that will hold in the state on August 24.

Mr. Okpara who presented the report said that the screening was without any interference of NWC members, stating that those disqualified were free to take their cases to the Screening Appeal, which would sit in Abuja on Saturday.

Chibumdo Nwuche, the Acting Deputy National Chairman of the party, while receiving the report of the screening, said he expected the party to win the governorship election in the state, stating that PDP parades the highest governorship aspirants in the state and as well called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to be impartial in the conduct of the election as the international community will be watching.

Among those cleared for the primaries are Senator Andy Uba; former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Nicholas Ukachukwu and a business tycoon, Chief Obinna Uzor.

Also in the race are Charles Odunukwe, Special Assistant to the President and Secretary of SURE-P, Akachukwu Nwankpo; Senator Emma Anosike and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Turkey, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe.

Meanwhile, Senators Annie Okonkwo and Chris Ngige, who were founding members of APC, and had earlier indicated interest to contest for the governorship election, were said to have been cleared for the race.

Mr. Godwin Ezeemo also signified he was contesting the election on the platform of the APC because the party has promised internal democracy and to take the people of Anambra to the Promised Land.