2023 PRESIDENCY: ANAKWENZE DEBUNKS DISQUALIFICATION.... Says "It Is Fake News. I Was Not Disqualified."

"All these news about disqualification is absolute nonsense and should be disregarded." Comrade Oluwole, DG Campaign Organization.

One of the presidential aspirants under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and a United States-based doctor, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, has debunked his reported disqualification by the party from the the 2023 presidential race as “fake news.”

He advised those allegedly spreading fake news about his disqualification to desist from the act and allow the party’s appeal committee to make its recommendations on the direction of the primaries billed for May 28, this year.

The presidential hopeful conveyed the clarification through the Director General of his Campaign Organisation, Comrade Eric Oluwole, while addressing support groups on the delayed clearance, the appeal and the party’s position on the matter.

According to Oluwole: “There are lots of rumor on social media that Dr Anakwenze, has been disqualified from the presidential race.

“As Director General of the campaign organisation, I don’t have any option than to clear the mind of Nigerians that it was a fake news designed to paint my principal black because of his rising popularity and chance of clinching the ticket to represent the party in the presidential election next year.”

He explained that the screening on Friday led by former Senate President, David Mark, went well but that his principal was asked to supply additional documents, which were not available immediately during the exercise.

He said that the documents were later sorted out and presented to the screening committee and expressed surprise that they were not admitted, but referred to the Presidential Appeal Committee which should sit after the holidays.

His words: “We brought the documents to the appeal with a well articulated statement as was instructed; and we presented these to the appeal panel, which after examination, asked him to go.

“As at today, there hasn’t been any official communication from the PDP even after the extraordinary National Working Committee meeting on the matter. So all these news about disqualification is absolute nonsense and should be disregarded.

“We urge all supporters to be calm. The campaign Organization will take a critical review and make a strong statement the moment the appeal committee discloses its position on the cleared aspirants.”

Oluwole stressed the need for the party’s members to support the aspiration of his principal, who he said has the pedigree, passion and requisite determination to take the nation to greater heights.

The David Mark-led nine-men screening committee on Friday had reportedly disqualified two of its 17 presidential aspirants from Abia State without disclosing the reasons for their disqualification, apart from saying the two did not meet the requirements.

The 17 aspirants screened on Friday were: the only female aspirant in the race, Teriela Oliver; governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto; Nyesom Wike of Rivers; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom; Investment Banker and Economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Others are former Senate President, Pius Anyim; ex-President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa; a United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; the Publisher Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu; former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Cosmas Ndukwe; Charles Ugwu and Chikwendu Kalu.

Also in the race are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.