APC Inaugurates 15-Member Governing Council for Progressive Institute

APC Inaugurates 15-Member Governing Council for Progressive Institute

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on Monday inaugurated a 15-member Governing Council for the party’s think-tank, The Progressive Institute (TPI), at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

Yilwatda, who will chair the Council, described the Institute as the party’s official policy think-tank aimed at deepening democratic culture, strengthening governance standards and providing strategic direction for the APC.

He said the establishment of the Institute reflects the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to institutionalise progressive ideology and entrench intellectual rigour in party administration and governance.

“Let me at this point express our leadership’s appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his vision in establishing this premier political foundation in the country,” Yilwatda said.

He assured the President of the party leadership’s commitment to building a world-class institution that would serve as a hub for research, leadership development and strategic policy engagement.

Yilwatda also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for laying the groundwork for the Institute’s establishment.

According to him, the decision for the National Chairman to head the Governing Council was deliberate to ensure policy and strategic oversight at the highest level of party leadership.

“This was a deliberate decision of the APC to ensure that the Institute gets policy and strategic attention at the highest level of the Party leadership. I want to assure you that the entire leadership of our Party are fully committed to give this great institution our full support and attention,” he stated.

He outlined the Council’s statutory functions to include conducting research and publications on public policy, democratisation, leadership and good governance; organising local and international conferences on ideology; and collaborating with party organs to develop and execute political strategies.

Other mandates include capacity building in intra-party governance, elections and institutional development, providing a platform for engagement between the party and the wider society, and serving as the institutional memory of the APC by documenting primaries, conventions and key decisions of the National Executive Committee.

The Director-General of TPI, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, who also serves as Secretary of the Governing Council, assured the party leadership of management’s readiness to set high standards for the Institute. He disclosed that committed party members had been engaged as staff, adding that non-party members would not be retained.

The Governing Council comprises nine appointed members and six ex officio directors. The appointed members include Yilwatda; Senator Ajibola Basiru; Professor Mukaila Aliyu-Kankia; Dr. Lanre Adebayo; Professor Chris Kwaghe; Professor Dogara Mato; Alhaji Mohamad Bulama; Professor Ben Nanni; and Barrister Chijoke Ndioga.

The ex officio directors include the Director of Programmes and Training, Director of Legal Services, Director of Administration, Director of Human Resources, and Director of Planning, Staff and Statistics.

The party leadership said the Institute would play a central role in shaping policy discourse and strengthening the APC’s ideological foundation ahead of future political engagements.