•President picks nomination form next week •To declare before Nov 15
President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday accepted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offer to run for the 2015 presidential election as sole consensus candidate of the party.
Consequently, he has set up a Declaration Committee made up of Dr. Bello Halliru Mohammed (Chairman) from Kebbi, Sen. Ken Namani (Deputy Chairman), Enugu; Sen. 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).
Also in the Committee are Governors representing zones – 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).
Included in the Committee also are National Assembly Representatives – Sen. Hosea Agboola (Oyo), Sen. Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Hon. Bitrus Kaze (Plateau) and Hon. Salmat Badru (Ogun).
“Federal Executive Council Representatives in the Committee are Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dieziani Allison-Madueke (Bayelsa); Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun); Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina (Adamawa); and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
The Party Official Representatives in the Committee are Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus (Rivers), Benue State Chapter Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Egbo (Benue); National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe (Imo) and North West Zonal Chairman, Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure (Jigawa).
Party members Represenatives to the Committee are Sen. Stella Umo (Delta), Sen. Walid Jibirn (BOT Secretary (Nasarawa); Ibrahim Bunu (Borno), Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba); Sen. Aneta Okon (Akwa Ibom), Peter Obi (Anambra), Mrs. Remi Adiuku Bakare (Lagos), and Gen. A. B. Mamman and PDP National Youth Leader for FCT.
Others appointed at Presidential discretion are Barr. 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).
A breakdown of the committee members shows that South South has 6, South East, 5; South West, 5; FCT, 1; North West, 5; North East, 6; and North Central, 6, members.
Former scribe of the party, Jerry Ghana, was named the Chairman of the Fund-Raising Committee for the campaign during another meeting, the source added.
President Jonathan made his decision formally known during a closed-door meeting with leaders of the party at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the meeting were the Senate President, David Mark; Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Tony Annenih; PDP Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu; and Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus.
