…says his administration taking measures to address infrastructural challenges, Ensure Compliance with Engineering Codes
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration has taken concrete steps towards addressing the infrastructural challenges in Gombe state.
The Governor was speaking while inaugurating the Gombe State Technical Committee (GSTC) and the Gombe State Expatriate Monitoring Committee (GSEMC) of the Engineering Regulations Monitoring by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN.
He said from the construction of township roads to the land administration reforms and the enforcement of building codes and regulations, his government will continue to enforce regulations and ensure that engineering practices conform to the highest standards.
The Governor said any engineer supervising any project in Gombe state must be fully registered by COREN and must possess a practicing license as a condition for pre-qualification in all engineering projects in the State.
Governor Yahaya described Engineering as the bedrock of infrastructural development, saying the profession has played crucial role in the development of great countries.
He noted that the emergence of the Covid-19 has added another risk factor to the practice of engineering, urging the committees to come up with appropriate guidelines to regulate the practice of engineering during the pandemic, in line with best practices.
He said for Nigeria to achieve its developmental objectives, strong emphasis must be placed on the role of engineering and other related professions.
The Governor who noted that COREN performs key role in ensuring that engineering practice in Nigeria is executed with strict compliance to relevant codes, observed that, “From bridges to highways, water treatment plants to electricity plants, drainages to dams, housing and office infrastructure, the role of engineering in infrastructural development cannot be over-emphasized”.
The Governor added “I understand that the inauguration of the State Technical Committee of the Engineering Regulations Monitoring by COREN is geared towards revolutionizing engineering practice in Nigeria and domesticating those best practices in Gombe State. It is my belief that with this development, there would be better regulation of engineering practice in Gombe State”.
He congratulated members of the committees for distinguishing themselves, expressing the hope that they will justify the confidence reposed in them.
Earlier speaking, the President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, Engr. Ali Rabiu said the engineering regulations monitoring was first inaugurated in 1997 to ensure full compliance to the council’s codes.
The COREN President commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for allocating a piece of land to the Council on which its State office was constructed.
He said the goal of the Engineering Regulations Monitoring ERM was to add value to whatever resources a State may have, especially in the face of the covid-19 Pandemic.
The Gombe State Technical Committee and the State Expartriate Monitoring Committee are to be guided by the following terms of reference: To locate and document organizations and practitioners and report to the Registrar; To verify and monitor professional competence of works approving Officers; To act as COREN watchdogs on maintenance, upholding engineering codes and ensure that all such works are in accordance with engineering design and specifications by Registered Engineers.
Other are to verify that all organizations working in the area of engineering contracting have at least an active Registered Engineer on their Board of Directors; To observe and report cases of non-adherence to approved engineering codes of practice in respect of public and private works to the Registrar; To report all defaulters and contravention of COREN Act to the Registrar;
To verify that all engineering practitioners (local and foreign) in the engineering organizations have valid COREN practicing license.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says Gombe state Government will partner and support the proposed As-salam Global University, Hadejia initiated by the Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau-led Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a wa’ikamatis sunnah, JIBWIS.
The Governor made the remarks at the foundation laying ceremony of the institution in Hadejia, Jigawa state.
Governor Yahaya, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi told newmen that the move was in line with Governor Yahaya’s administration’s policy on improving educational system at all levels in the state and beyond.
He indicated the resolve of Gombe state Government to compliment JIBWIS’s effort of establishing the University by constructing a lecture auditorium at the institution with a view to making the learning environment habitable for students.
The Governor appreciated the foresight of the Izala for establishing a citadel of learning and called on spirited individuals to invest in the project for the benefit of humanity.
In his address, Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru said the educational backwardness of his state, in particularo and the norhern region in general, informed his administration’s decision to allocate 150 hectares of land for the establishment of the University in Hadejia.
While thanking the organisation for identifying his state to host the institution, Governor Badaru pledged his administration’s total support for its actualisation.
He thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for pledging to construct an auditorium in the University and other donors for their respective gestures, saying their intervention will enhance the smooth take off of the institution.
In his speech, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar stressed the need for authorities, especially the northern Governors to intensify effort in saving the education system from total collapse
He tasked the host community to take ownership of the University by ensuring maximum utilisation of the institution’s potentials.
The National Chairman of the Izala, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, said the construction of University was borne out of the desire by JIBWIS to compliment the effort of government in the education sector, urging stakeholders across all strata to contribute in ensuring the smooth take off of the institution.
Gombe state Government delegation, led by the SSG, comprised of some commssioners, special advisers, heads of MDAs and other officials.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has congratulated his Ondo state counterpart, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN on his victory in the October 10 governorship election in the state.
In a statement, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the landslide victory of Akeredolu and the governing All Progressives Congress, APC as a validation of people’s trust and confidence in the party and the Governor’s leadership.
Governor Yahaya who is also a member of the APC Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election, expressed confidence that Akeredolu will use the second mandate to consolidate on the laudable achievements he recorded in his first term.
The Gombe Governor said, “It is with immense pleasure that I warmly congratulate my good brother and friend, His Excellency, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN on his re-election for a second term in office. “I have no doubt in my mind that this fresh mandate is another opportunity to build on the foundation of development and prosperity already laid by His Excellency in Ondo state. I pray Almighty God will continue to guide and enrich him with more wisdom to accomplish the good work he has started four years ago”.
The Northern Governors Forum has sent warm felicitations to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on the occasion of his 59th birthday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong described Governor Inuwa as a man of excellence and compassion who has brought his progressive ideals to governance of Gombe State.
Lalong said Governor Inuwa is a man who has demonstrated great commitment to the plight of the poor and vulnerable by initiating programs and projects that continue to lift them out of poverty, illiteracy and health burdens.
He said “we are proud of his achievements and acknowledge his wonderful contributions within the Northern Governors Forum as we work in synergy to harness the potentials of our region and make the lives of our people better. He is an embodiment of intellect, humility and honesty”.
While wishing him many more years of peace and good health, Governor Lalong urged him to continue to deploy his energy and goodwill towards touching the lives of people in Gombe State, the Northern region and Nigeria as a whole.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 8th October 2020.
President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on the occasion of his 59th birthday, October 9, 2020.
President Buhari rejoices with the founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recognising the important roles he played in championing good governance and economic development in Gombe State, where he served as the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development for seven years before being rightly elected the 4th Civilian Governor of the State on May 29, 2019.
As a leader who is passionate about the welfare and the common good of all, the President prays that the celebrant will live long in health and happiness to celebrate all that he is working so hard to achieve for the benefit of all Gombe people.
…makes case for speedy exploitation of oil and gas in north east
…seeks FG’s support to tackle menace of gullies in Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has met with President Muhammadu Buhari where he made a case for the federal government to mount pressure on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR to begin the exploitation of oil and gas in the State as well as the whole of Gongola Basin so as to create job opportunities and boost economic activities in the north east sub-region.
Biefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of his meeting with Buhari at the presidential Villa in Abuja, the Governor said since the discovery of oil and gas in Gombe and Bauchi States and by extension the entire Gongola Basin, the people of the area are looking forward with high hopes to the commencement of oil exploitation which he noted will provide job opportunities for the people, enhance economic activities and create a launching pad for Gombe to join the league of oil producing States in the country.
“With the discovery of oil and gas in Gombe and Bauchi states, and specifically, in the whole of Gongola Basin, we seek to get the support of the federal government, so the pressure will be mounted on the Nigerian National Petroleum corporation, NNPC and the DPR for them to see to the fact that the exploitation of oil and gas deposit that is available in Gombe and in fact the wider Gongola Basin is encouraged so that economic activities will be triggered, our people will have jobs and Gombe will join the league of oil producing states.”
He also told said that the Dadin Kowa Hydropower has the potential of generating power to be used by the State and the soon to take off Gombe industrial park as well as for irrigation farming. He commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for recently awarding the contract through thr Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria, TRIMMING irrigational facilities.
“Mr President is fully aware that Gombe State is putting up an industrial park which is likely going to take off by the end of the year and with this we hope to attract investors who will come and join us and put up agro allied industries so that the whole value Chain of Agriculture can be harnessed for the benefit of the people”.
On his administration’s flagship projects of network eleven hundred and Gombe Goes Green 3G, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said prior to his assumption into office as Governor of the State, he recognized that one of the fundamental challenges of the people was road inter connectivity to link communities and Local Government headquarters as well as the State capital.
He said it was for this reason that his administration initiated the ‘network eleven hundred’ to build at least one hundred kilometres of road in each Local Government Area of the State so as to Open up the state for the free movement of human, goods and services.
“You see eighty percent of our people are peasants farmers so if we are able to link them up with the ‘network eleven hundred’ which intends to put up one hundred kilometres of road in each Local Government Area of the State, we would have succeeded in easing the stress of our people and so far I can say we are doing well because at the moment there are projects going on in all the Local Government areas of the State aiming at achieving the target”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the Gombe Goes Green 3G project was borne out of his administration’s desire to regenerate the environment which is at the mercy of desertification and poor land utilisation.
He said a lot of the State forest reserves have been depleted due to poor agricultural practices which has become incumbent on his administration to provide vegetational cover through reforestation to protect the soil and provide shade for plants and animals.
“With the Gombe Goes Green project, we aim to achieve two to three things that is by planting trees we have provided engagement to the youth who are already working in conjunction with YESSO and the economic trees also being planted side by side will be beneficial to the people in the long run”.
The Governor said the State has been playing a comforting role housing those fleeing the boko Haram and other crisis within the North East sub-region, describing the development as putting a strain on the State educational, Social and environmental standards.
He said his administration has been in constant touch with the Federal Government on how best to manage issues relating to security in the State in view of the current status of the State which is now home to individuals whose identity and capacity to commit crime is not known.
“Those that have been displaced by insurgency have resettled amongst our people. As far as the issue of displaced persons are concerned, neigbhouring Borno and Yobe, we have an arrangement for them to settle with our people, so we don’t have IDPS camps per say. So, the people have acclimatized and have gotten used to living with our people and they are doing very well.”
On the recent flood disaster that ravaged most part of the country, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the case of Gombe as unique in view of its geographical location which situates it in a valley, appealing to the Federal Government to come to the aid of Gombe State in tackling the menace of gullies threatening lives and means of livelihood.
“The issue of recent flood that has been affecting the whole country. Much as we don’t have rivers around Gombe but the flood around the river banks of Gongola, which is covering two of the local government areas has equally affected us and also resettlement of most of our people.
“But most importantly, because Gombe is situated between valley and because of poor practices and lack of proper environmental management, gullies have developed.
“You might have seen in the last few weeks, the effect of gully erosion in Gombe state. So, erosional upset has really devastated the lives of our people and has really become a problem and there is need for us to seek support from the federal government.
“As at the moment, there are 200 active gullies in Gombe which has affected the lives and livelihoods of a lot our people. So, we brought that to the notice to Mr. President for him to see how best he could attend and render some help especially from the ministry of environment, and more importantly, through the federal government’s understanding with the World Bank via the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project which Gombe has keyed into.
“Once we are able to get that, we hope our problem of gully erosions will be solved partially if not fully. “
On the number of people displaced by flood, the governor remarked that over 3,200 families have been displaced, saying that government is trying to provide them with alternatives.
He explained: “Of recent, in two local governments we had about 3,200 families that have been dislocated. But we have been trying to provide alternatives.
“At the moment, we are designing layouts from which we will relocate all resettlements that are on flood planes and on gullies which are normally susceptible to floods.
The Gombe Governor said he used his visit to show solidarity to the President over the way he has handled the covid-19 pandemic as well as other state matters.
,,, Promises Government intervention to make camp befitting for Pilgrims.
Gombe State Government in collaboration with the National Hajj Commission would do everything possible in ensuring that basic facilities are provided at the Gombe Hajj Camp ahead of the next Hajj exercise.
Secretary to the State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi Stated this when he inspected the facilities at the Hajj Camp in Lawanti near Gombe Airport.
He said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is concerned over the welfare of the citizens of the State adding that the Problems of the Camp would be given the attention it deserve and directed the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to forward the problems of the camp in writing for the Governor’s prompt action.
Njodi added that, Officials from the National Hajj Commmission are bill to visit the State any time soon adding that, all issues relating to Hajj operations as well as the Camp facilities would be discussed especially now that the Corona-Virus Pandamic which has halted the exercise in the past is gradually simmering down.
He prayed that, the situation would improve so that Muslim faithful would have the opportunity to go for Hajj being one of the Pillars of Islam.
While commending Staff of the Board for their commitment in maintaining the facility, Professor Njodi enjoy them to maintaned the tempo.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board Alh. Sa’adu Hassan had earlier enumerated some of the Camp problems which includes,need for renovation works on some of the existing structures, Water Supply, Security fence,a transformer and interlocking the environment to prevent erosion in the premises.
The SSG was accompanied to the Visit by the Permanent Secretary SSG’S Office Alhaji Mohammed Umar .
It was the Scottish writer, Thomas Carlyle, who famously stated that the history of the world is but the biography of great men, reflecting his belief that heroes shape history through both their personal attributes and divine inspiration. But Carlyle had only popularized ‘The great man theory’, an idea which explains history via the impact of great men or heroes on society. For obvious reasons, the above represents a fitting narrative of the life of Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, as he turns 59 today, 9th October.
As we rejoice with him on this historic day even as we also pay attention to his enviable public service and altruism, we are confronted with the remarkable impact which an individual could make in regenerating society. And expectedly, politics and governance have dominated his public persona in recent times as many know him mainly as a politician without acknowledging him as an astute technocrat who served for a considerable period in the old Bauchi State civil service rising to the position of Principal Accountant and later as a trailblazing Commissioner of Finance in the administration of then Governor Danjuma Goje.
For me as a close observer of this ingenious man from Jekadafari ward, we cannot fully evaluate his current standing without recourse to his solid academic background as a brilliant accounting graduate from Ahmadu Bello University and vast experience in both private and public sectors, garnering in the process, a diversified knowledge base which have been most useful in leadership positions especially as Governor of Gombe State.
Since he took over office in 2019, Governor Yahaya has matched effective leadership with a broad vision, imbued with hard work, sacrifice and innovative thinking and thus turning the tide even in a challenging political environment. Everything has, however, worked as planned.
It is important to reckon with the tough realities he met on assumption of office, a situation which required some realistic stand on the urgent need for reforms, and a basic step that had since led to the expected renewal in the state. From cleaning the proverbial Augean stable by instituting a pragmatic ethical standard and integrity in the governing process, building requisite institutions, thereby overcoming the profligacy of the past to the spectacular civil service reform and policies and programmes, it was too clear to the governor the right route to foster efficiency and enhance qualitative and result-oriented services to the people of Gombe State. Of course, this became imperative for instilling probity, public accountability and transparency required in any modern administration if government were to be effective and efficient. This is also the basis for public trust in a democracy. Although he is still running the course of his first term in office, the record of achievements in relation to his campaign promises is giving hope to a greater future he has always said his administration embodies, particularly in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, security, agriculture, water provision, job creation and responding vigorously to the enviromental degradation and challenge of climate change in the state.
In achieving on these issues, one strategy he has employed aside some fundamental home-grown development initiatives has been exploring ways and means of creating and strengthening ties with development partners. Of course, partnership is a strategic step in contemporary development thinking, considering the fact that Gombe is not a rich state in relative terms coupled with the pressing economic and financial challenges even before the Covid-19 pandemic threw most local and international economies off balance with the attendant development constraints.
So far, Governor Yahaya, symbolically, seems in good stead with these partners cutting across multilateral organizations, government agencies, ministries and parastatals as well as renowned foundations and thereby making Gombe State a sort of preferred destination of development partners.
It is noted here that government and governance generally can be enhanced by bringing it into partnership with other critical stakeholders and upholding some basic policies that can encourage public investments. In this regard, the core as the Gombe State experience has shown is that government’s involvement in partnerships is predicated on the benefits of strengthening social capital. Issuing from the foregoing are two premises of interest: that government has the potential to institutionalize sustainable development in ways that few other organizations can manage and that government also has the potential to do this on a large scale. However, there’s a caveat here: government must exhibit a sound organization and responsibility to attract partnerships.
This is the propelling force behind Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s almost restless engagement with such development partners as the UN, UNICEF, USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Taj Bank, NDE, ECN, Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Water Resources, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and Communication. Among others are the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), SDGs and most recently the Nigerian Airforce.
A common thread binding all these partnerships is that they are crucial in the strategic interest and development concerns of Gombe State and in consonance with the government’s central vision of service delivery to the people.
For example, from UNICEF and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a lot of help had come for the good health of Gombe children, where like in most parts of the country, a vast number are vulnerable but receiving some good attention. Similar collaboration is playing out in the Ministry of Agriculture where Gombe has keyed into all federal government’s agricultural programmes and projects for the benefit of farmers and the entire citizenry. Closely related here is the new partnership with the Taj Bank, a non-interest financial institution setting up a branch in Gombe which could boost financial inclusion and unlocking opportunities especially in agricultural development and small scale enterprises. Collaboration to strengthen social inclusion and protection programme at home, support to strengthen social safety net and poverty reduction had also led Governor Yahaya to the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) and Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), Mr. Edward Kallon and SDGs offices in Abuja respectively where very positive resolutions were made to support the cause of development in Gombe State. The governor was particularly delighted that the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has thrown its weight behind the state’s 10-year (2020-2030) Development Plan and other initiatives aimed at improving human capital development in the state. Water as a crucial issue in the state is also on the front burner of collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources, with specific support to the second Gombe regional water projects which will ensure effective work on the Balanga Dam, extend support to the Dadinkowa Hydropower project with concomitant effect on the Gombe Industrial Park, urban water supply and improve irrigation farming in the state. Although the ambitious Gombe Goes Green project, now in its second phase, is meant to address the challenge of desertification especially in the northern parts of the state, more efforts are needed like the collaboration with the Environment ministry to tackle the incessant menace of flooding in the state.
While education as a priority has gotten much attention from the state government with strong collaboration from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)/Better Education Service Delivery (BESDA), Gombe State has also keyed into the Federal Government’s digital economy policy and strategy to deal with its socio-economic challenges as evident in the recent virtual commissioning of eleven projects executed by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy in the state.
And Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s relentless quest to build partnership has now assured the birth of the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Airforce in Gombe. At a recent visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar at the headquarters of the Nigerian Airforce in Abuja, the air chief assured of the plan to set up school, medical facility and special unit in Gombe as part of the FOB package. An elated Yahaya equally assured the airforce high command of the state’s preparedness to receive its men and platforms, noting in particular the relevance of the airforce base in boosting security in the north east.
Clearly Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s partnership drive is affirming a good purpose for achieving the needed transformation in governance, social capital and sustainable development. His focused partnerships are addressing the existing gaps in integrating the various dimensions of development and ensuring full commitment from these partners. However, as hinted earlier, partnerships with such a sundry organizations and in particular those from the private sector can only work as we’ve seen in the Gombe example if there is firm commitment, sound leadership and organization and indeed the expected responsibility. From payment of counterpart funding in some cases to good policies to the critical accountability and transparency, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has demonstrated acute resourcefulness amidst leadership creativity.
Of course, we have to reckon with government’s incentives for private sector to contribute to development priorities. It is recognized that the private sector has acted as a contributor to achieve development by mobilizing resources to support sustainable programmes, fostering inclusive economic growth, creating opportunities for employment and serving as a driver for technology and innovation like the Gombe partnership with NIGCOMSAT. Gleaning from the record of achievements in the various partnerships with Gombe State, it presupposes that this is a viable means through which the state could still make greater progress in the quest for rapid development and this is especially so in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic which has ravaged economies with strains on available resources for development purposes. It is hoped that the pivotal good governance structure which had attracted these partnerships will subsist as a paradigm shift of the Inuwa Yahaya-led administration in Gombe State.
Happy Birthday to a super prudent!
Misilli is the Senior Special Assistant to Gombe state Governor on Media and Publicity
Gombe State Government under the Present administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya remains committed towards the utilisation of resources generated from whatever source for the provision of basic aminities to the people of the State.
The Gombe State Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning Mohammed Gambo Magaji reiterate the Government position while addressing officials of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission who are in the state on a nationwide Sensitization and Advocacy tour to State and Local Government on Data gathering and Development.
He said even though the state is second from the rare in terms of revenue allocation from the Federal Government however, the State Government is able to cater for it’s citizens through the provision of social amenities across the State.
While outlining the present administration achievement within the over one year in office, the Gombe finance Commissioner said, a total number of 114 Health centres have been provided across the state and equipped, while over 142 Schools were constructed and renovated.
The commissioner further stated that in other to Open up rural and urbarn areas for socio economic activities the state has embarked on the massive roads construction tagged “Network Eleven Hundred’ which has so far seen the construction of over 200 Kilometers of roads.
He added that plans have been concluded for the upgrade of three General Hospital into a specialist health facility in the 3 senatorial zone while renovation and expansion of the Gombe State Specialist Hospital has since been Completed.
He said five Special Schools are to be established in Gombe State, as well as a comprehensive plans for youths and women empowerment programs calling on the commission for more support to enable the state deliver on thses lofty goals.
The Commissioner added that the State is undergoing reforms in both public service and finance reforms for the propose of transparency and good Governmence.
The team leader and chairman indices and Disbursement Committee of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission RMFC. Chris Akomas appreciate the State Government for it’s development strides and assured of the Commissions willingness to do everything possible to improve on the current situation considering the increased in the population due to the influx IDPs into the state as a result of insurgence in the North East region.
The interactive session which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House has in attendance some Commissioners and Head of MDA’s in the State where the needs for an increase in the Federal allocation to Gombe state was also advocated.
Earlier today, the All Progressives Congress, APC Inaugurated the Reconciliation and Election committee for the Bayelsa West and Central Senatorial Districts with Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as the Chairman.
The Chairman of the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni performed the inauguration ceremony at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
Represented by the National Secretary of the Caretaker committee, Sen. John James Akpanugedehe, the Chairman charged the committee members to bring to bear their wealth of experience and influence to provide genuine reconciliation to give every member a sense of belonging as well as mobilize, strategise and deliver Bayelsa Central and West senatorial districts to APC in order to have more supportive hands in the National Assembly for the President.
In his response, Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress that his committee will do everything necessary to deliver on its mandate.
He noted that the problems APC went through resulted into various electoral losses, including in Zamfara, Bayelsa and most recently Edo states.
The Governor described the losses the party incured over time as unfortunate development, expressing the belief that the APC has learnt its lessons, a lesson that encourages staying together and creating platforms for reconciliation and ‘give and take’ spirit.
He said APC as a party shares common interest which has propelled the successes the party has recorded so far since coming into power in 2015, adding that “Politics is about managing relationships with a group of people that have common interest”.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said while the party is striving to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, more still needs to be done to consolidate on the gains both at the national and sub national levels.
“I will like to urge members of the National Working Committee and the State Executives of the party to come up with burning issues affecting the party so that we can go ahead and address them”.
He observed that several States have reconciled their grieving members which has seen top notches of the party who earlier left the APC now returning to its fold.
The Gombe State Governor thanked the National Working Committee of the APC for finding them worthy to serve in the committee, assuring the party that they will not disappoint.
“Not minding the enormity of the task ahead, each of the committee member is well aware of the problems the APC is going through which resulted in the formation of the interim committee that is managing the affairs of the party, so we shall leave no stone unturned until the assignment is successfully delivered”.
The Governor, at a press conference after the inauguration ceremony, underscored the importance of building a strong and united party, commending the Buni-led caretaker/ extraordinary national convention committee for its tireless efforts in that regard.
Other members of the Inuwa Yahaya-led Reconciliation/Election Committee for the October 31 concurrent legislative by-elections for Bayelsa Central and West Senatorial Districts are:
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