True to bookmakers’s prediction, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has at a meeting with chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, October 23, 2014 indicated interest to seek re-election and contest the 2015 presidential election.
He has also assured that he is desirous to obtain the nomination form before the deadline set by the party leadership and make formal declaration between November 7 and 15, 2014.
Sequel to this, the meeting constituted a high powered Presidential Declaration Committee to plan a befitting declaration event.
A Presidential Declaration Committee to plan for the declaration is chaired by a former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Bello Haliru and comprising of representatives of the National Assembly, Governors, party, zones and Jonathan’s nominees.
Members of the committee include Ken Namani (Deputy Chairman), Enugu, Anyim Pius Anyim (Secretary), Ebonyi, Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali (member), Gombe, Julius Imagwe – SSA – Youth – (member), Edo, Dr. Baraka Sani (SSA -NSAP) – Kano, (member).
The Governors on the committee are: Liyel Imoke, Cross River (South South), Theodore Orji, Abia (South East), Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo (South West), Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu Niger (North Central), Ibrahim Shema, Katsina (North West) and Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe (North East).
From the National Assembly are:
Senators Hosea Agbola , (Oyo), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Hon. Bitrus Kaze (Plateau) and Hon. Salmas Badru (Ogun).
Representing the Federal Executive Council are:
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dieziani Allison-Madueke (Bayelsa), Minister of Police Affairs, Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun), Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Maina (Adamawa), Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
To represent Party Officials are:
Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus (Rivers), Benue State Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Egbo, (Benue) National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe (Imo) and North West Zonal Chairman, Ibrahim Kazaure (Jigawa).
Party members Representatives are:
Stella Umo (Delta), Walid Jibirn (BOT Secretary, (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Bunu (Borno), Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Anieta Okon (Akwa Ibom), Peter Obi (Anambra), Mrs. Remi Adiuku Bakare (Lagos), and Gen. A. B. Mamman (PDP National Youth Leader) – FCT.
Others appointed at Presidential discretion:
Halima Alfa (Kogi), Nigeria Ambassador to Netherland, Dr. (Mrs.) Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi (Kwara), FCT ALGON Chairman, Hon. Micah Yohanna Jiba (FCT) and Hon. Sam Ikon (Akwa Ibom).
