By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the composition of a high-level committee to spearhead his official declaration to seek re-election as president in the 2015 general elections, Blueprint learnt yesterday.
The committee was set up at a meeting held at House 7 of the Presidential Villa which was presided over by Jonathan.
Sources said the committee, headed by former Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Halliru Mohammed, was mandated to choose a convenient date between November 7, 2014, and November 15, 2014, and ensure that the declaration is eventful.
A source, who attended the meeting, told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, was appointed Deputy Chairman, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, shall serve as secretary of the committee.
Members of the committee from the National Assembly are Senator Hosea Agboola (Oyo), Senator Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Rep Bitrus Kaze (Plateau) and Rep Salmas Badru (Ogun), while representatives from the Federal Executive Council 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 the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
Governors representing zones in 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).
Other members of the committee are the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth, Mr. Julius Imagwe; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National School Agriculture Programme, Dr. Baraka Sani; Halima Alfa (Kogi); Nigeria Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi (Kwara), FCT ALGON Chairman, Micah Yohanna Jiba (FCT), and Sam Ikon (Akwa Ibom).
Representatives of PDP in the committee are Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus (Rivers); Benue State Chapter Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Egbo; National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe (Imo), and North-west Zonal Chairman, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure (Jigawa).
Other party members are Senator Stella Omo (Delta), Senator Walid Jibrin (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Bunu (Borno), Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Senator Anieta Okon (Akwa Ibom), Peter Obi (Anambra), Mrs. Remi Adiuku Bakare (Lagos), and Gen. A. B. Mamman.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan said he would pick the party’s nomination form to formally express his interest to run for the presidential elections next year, before the October 30 deadline set by the party.