The All Progressives Congress (APC), has inaugurated its Strategy and Contact Committee, in a ceremony which held in the Conference Hall of the Party's National Secretariat in Abuja.
The move, according to top Party sources, was aimed at recovering, rebuilding and repositioning the Party for greater service delivery to Nigerians, and more efficient future electoral successes.
In his brief Opening Remarks, the Secretary of the Party's National Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, Ph.D., ascribed the Party's present wave of good fortune to the vision of its National Chairman.
He acknowledged the good fortune to include: recording encouraging Registration and Revalidation statistics; successful reconciliation and reintegration exercises, and an impressive policy of all-inclusion which had boosted the Party's image.
"When we came on board, we lost some States; but you have recovered so many States thus far ... and from the way the Party is moving, the PDP will be left with about four or five States, at the end of this exercise".
"Your Excellency, you printed twelve million Membership Cards and within one week it was exhausted"
"Under your leadership, the Party is in such high demand that States like Kano and many others are demanding for a time extension to help them complete their registration exercises.
"You have also proven to be a master at bringing people who were left behind and forgotten, and reintegrating them into the Party".
The National Chairman of the Party's Caretaker Committee, H.E. Mai Mala Buni, spoke next, and in his address, specially appreciated all critical stakeholders, Party Chieftains and members nationwide, for their cooperation and support.
He acknowledged the gains of the Caretaker Committee to include: genuine reconciliations and crisis management; return of key members who had left the Party; and the general
boost in the numbers of new members who had joined the Party.
He noted the Caretaker Committee's drive to ensure a review of the Party's Constitution, to "take care of ambiguous positions and loopholes that have caused confusion and controversies over the years".
He also urged the Strategy and Contact Committee to consolidate on the achievements of the CECPC with a view to "building a strong party with a solid structure that would accomplish APC to stand the test of time".
"Our vision is to provide a wheel that will drive the Party to go beyond seven, eight, nine or even tenth terms of office".
The Chairman also stated the Terms of Reference for the Committee to include:
1) Establishing constructive engagements between critical stakeholders at various levels in the Party with a view to reviving confidence and trust among Party leaders.
2) Conducting a needs assessment survey from Party members and the general public.
3) Creating a statement of vision, mission and core values of the Party that will foster unity.
4). Developing strategies that will reposition the Party in an advantageous position in the public domain.
5) Developing a timeline and framework for the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee.
6) Co-opting such members as may be deemed most suitable.
7) Submission of periodic reports to the National Chairman.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated Committee (and Governor of Jigawa State), HE Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, gave his Acceptance Speech, in which he thanked the Caretaker Committee for the trust reposed in the new Committee, and promised they would deliver on their assignment.
He also called on all members of the new Committee to make the necessary sacrifice to complement the efforts of the President and the Caretaker Committee, to ensure the Party continues to be the Party of Choice for Nigerians.
Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha gave a Vote of Thanks on behalf of the newly inaugurated Committee.
MEMBERS OF THE NEWLY INAUGURATED COMMITTEE
1. H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar - Chairman
2. H.E. (Sen.) Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege - Member
3. H.E. Alh. Yahaya Bello - Member
4. H.E. Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum - Member
5. H.E. Alh. Inuwa Yahaya - Member
6. H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule - Member
7. H.E. (Hon) Aminu Bello Masari - Member
8. H.E. Simon Bako Lalong - Member
9. H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu - Member
10. H.E. Dapo Abiodun - Member
11. H.E. (Sen.) Hope Uzodinma - Member
12. H.E. David Nweze Umahi - Member
13. H.E. Alh. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje - Member
14. H.E. (Sen.) Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako - Member
15. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Danjuma Goje - Member
16. H.E (Sen.) Kashim Shettima - Member
17. H.E. (Sen.) Ibikunle Amosun - Member
18. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Umar Jibrilla - Member
19. H.E. Timipre Sylva - Member
20. H.E. Rauf Aregbesola - Member
21. H.E. (Dr) Chris Ngige - Member
22. H.E. (Sen) George Akume - Member
23. Abubakar Malami, SAN - Member
24. Hajia Sadiya Umar Faruq - Member
25. Mallam Adamu Adamu - Member
26. H.E. Akinwunmi Ambode - Member
27. H.E. Mohammed A. Abubakar - Member
28. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Adamu Aliero - Member
29. H.E. Gbenga Daniel - Member
30. H.E. Sullivan Chime - Member
31. H.E. (Sen.) Iyiola Omisore - Member
32. H.E. Mamadu Aliyu Shinkafi - Member
33. H.E. Saidu Dakingari - Member
34. Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole - Member
35. Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara - Member
36. Sen. Julius Ali Ucha - Member
37. Sen. Ganiyu Solomon - Member
38. Sen. Margaret Okadigbo - Member
39. Sen. Jibrin Wowo - Member
40. Sen. Anthony Oduma Agbo - Member
41. Sen. Robert Ajayi Boroffice - Member
42. Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa - Member
43. Sen. Khairat Gwadabe - Member
44. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha - Member
45. Hon. Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila - Member
46. Hon. Usman Mohammed - Member
47. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu - Member
48. Hon. Abubakar Lado Suleja - Member
49. Hon. Makinde Peter Abiola - Member
50. Hon. Blessing David Onuoha - Member
51. Alh. Kashim Imam - Member
52. Mrs. Mimi Drubibi Adzape - Member
53. Olorugun Emerhor Ortega - Member
54. Obong Umana Okon Umana - Member
55. Prince B.B Apugo - Member
56. Chief Ify Ugo Okoye - Member
57. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa - Member
58. Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman - Member
59. Princess (Hon) Miriam Onuoha - Member
60. Ideato C. Ideato Okoli - Member
61. Dr. Ikechi Emenike - Secretary