APC floats Progressive Institute to train political actors

By Kelechi Opara, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded arrangements to train its management staff and political leaders for a more efficient and effective service delivery.
This is contained in the recently launches Handbook developed by The Progressive Institute (PTI) which according to its mission statement is aimed at deepening democracy, strengthen internal party democracy, promote participatory development, strengthen the bond between party and its cadres as well as encouraging good governance at all levels of Nigeria’s governance system.
The TPI is also expected to be self-sufficient and an independent resource centre; which shall also generate its own resources apart from the initial support of the party for its take-off.
According to the Handbook, the idea is to chart a new course in the management of political parties and to pave way for a distinct ideology of the APC as a true progressive party.
“It is often said that political parties in Nigeria are mere platforms for contesting elections without any distinct identity. Be that as it may, the All Progressives Congress came into the Nigeria’s political space in 2013 with a clear determination of improving the quality of political discourse and providing leadership in changing the culture of Nigerian politics”.
The APC is equally planning to use the platform to train even members of other political parties in the country and from other African countries.
“So far, much needs to be done in order to translate this lofty intention into ideologically defining the party, and by implication, encouraging other political parties to follow.
“The concept of progressivism is expected to be rigorously discussed at all levels of the APC leadership, especially in order to encourage an inclusive process of defining the nature and character of a progressive ideology. This is also one of the ways to ensure adequate advocacy and ultimately the ownership of the outcome of the process”.
Some of the courses that would be taught include; Political Party Management, Corporate Governance, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Information Security and Cyber Forensics Management, Human Resource Management, Research Methods for Data Collection, Analysis and Techniques for Reports Writing and Presentation and Governance and Leadership.
Other are; Strategic Communication for Electoral Campaign and Intra-Party Administration, Policy and Political Communication, Managing the APC—Job Descriptions Harmonization and Application and Electoral Law and the Elections Process.