The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, March 20 inaugurated interim national executives for a coalition of over 160 registered APC Support Groups and national executives for the Party’s Support Groups of Peoples With Disabilities (PWD) at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
The Party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu while inaugurating the newly constituted national executives thanked development partners International Republican Institute (IRI) for their support in ensuring that all the groups are harmonised.
“The event of today is a milestone in a journey that started close to two years ago. The APC cannot thank IRI enough for its contribution in this journey because their contributions are both unquantifiable and immeasurable. The newly inaugurated national executives must ensure effective coordination, constant communication and meeting with all the APC support groups and report regularly to the national leadership of the party.” Shuaibu said during the inauguration.
National Publicity Secretary of the APC, olaji Abdullahi said the event was a demonstration of the APC’s recognition of the efforts and contributions of the various APC Support Groups in the Party’s victory in the 2015 general elections. Abdullahi said the inauguration of the national executives will ensure better coordination of the APC Support Groups activities.
IRI’s Nigeria Country Director, Sentell Barnes hailed the APC’s effort to ensure that all Nigerians, particularly marginalised groups – PWDs, women and youth – have access to political processes.
“The IRI has been working very much with the APC to bring these [Support] Groups together. We are very happy with the work that the Deputy National Chairman (North) has done, as well as other members of the APC National Working Committee. IRI has been working to ensure that all Nigerians have access to political processes and we are very happy for all the work the APC has been doing to ensure that there is access to the political process. The IRI has been working with the PWD community, women and youth to ensure that everyone has a voice. With this representation, there is now a direct channel to the leadership of the APC. It is good to see that the Party is making the necessary efforts to ensure that all Nigerians have a place at the table.” Barnes said.
Misbahu Lawan Didi will serve as National Coordinator of APC Persons Living With Disability Support Groups. While Ambassador Lawal Mohammed Munir is interim National Coordinator of the Coalition of APC Support Groups.
In his acceptance speech, National Coordinator of APC Persons Living With Disability Support Groups assured the APC of continued commitment in contributing to the development of the party. He said the national executive of the APC PWD Support Groups is now equipped to embark on a massive membership drive for the APC.
On his part, interim National Coordinator of the coalition of APC Support Groups said that coalition is poised to support the APC and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring about the desired change in our national life and bring economic and social development for the wellbeing of Nigerians.
APC NWC members in attendance at the inauguration were the APC National Secretary, Hon. Mai Mala Buni; National Treasurer, Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa and Deputy National Secretary, Oji Ngofa.