The All Progressives Congress has unveiled plans to amend its constitution in a bid to promote inclusivity and broaden representation within the party, particularly for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the party’s first public hearing on constitutional amendments held in Calabar on Monday, APC National Vice-Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, said the initiative is designed to capture the voices of party members, enhance inclusivity, and align the constitution with evolving party and national dynamics.
“I welcome you to the ancient city of Calabar for the first public hearing of the amendment of the constitution of our great party, the All Progressive Governors, APC,” Giadom said.
“Our constitution is the fundamental principles or established principles that define our collective agreement and rules for the day-to-day work of our great party. It outlines the powers, rights, and limitations of party members and its leadership.”
Describing the party’s constitution as the foundation of its internal democracy and a reflection of its collective aspirations, Giadom noted that President Bola Tinubu has directed a broad and inclusive review of the constitution to address existing gaps, accommodate the party’s growing structure, and strengthen governance.
“The constitution is not just a mega framework; it is a living testament to our commitment to justice, equity, and the rule of law. Upon the directives of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for an expansive and all-inclusive caucus and national equity committee of our great party, the amendment should commence in August to fill in the gap and accommodate the expansion of the stated organs of the party and correct any existing grey areas therein.
“As we embark on this important public hearing, starting from the South South region, let us deliberate on potential amendments, let us remember the importance of inclusivity and representation. Every voice matters, and every perspective enriches our understanding of the issues at hand. We must strive to ensure that our constitution reflects the diversity of our great country.
“Together, let us reshape a constitution that not only serves us today, but also inspires our future to uphold the values of justice, peace, unity and progress, which is our party motto and slogan,” Giadom added.
Also speaking at the event, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, welcomed participants and stakeholders to the hearing, describing the APC as a party that is open to all, regardless of social or economic status.
“APC is a party that has no front, no back line between the rich and the poor. And indeed, the APC is for all of us. This exercise is not oblivious to the fact that people need to make contributions to this party if we want to build a stronger APC. An APC that will lay down a blueprint that will span across 50 years and beyond.
“This event here, this public hearing, is one of the best because Cross River has the opportunity to make very meaningful contributions to the construction of the party,” he said.
On his part, the South-South representative in the APC Constitutional Amendment Committee, Alphonsus Eba, reiterated the committee’s commitment to undertaking a comprehensive review of the constitution to ensure greater inclusivity and representation.
Eba, who also chairs the APC in Cross River State, outlined key focus areas of the amendment process, including the expansion of the National Executive Committee to include former governors, enhanced representation for marginalised groups, and revisions to articles 12, 18, 19, and 20 to create additional seats for under-represented demographics.
“We are here to amend our constitution and make it more inclusive and to reflect Nigeria’s diversity. The amended constitution will serve us today and inspire our future, upholding justice, peace, unity and progress,” he stated.
