APC: Constitutional Amendment To Enhance Inclusiveness And Accommodates The Vulnerable

The ruling national party in the country, All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that the ongoing constitutional amendment is to enhance Inclusiveness and Accommodates the vulnerable within it fold by prioritizing and strengthening representation for women, youth and people with disabilities.

The party made this known by it National Vice‑Chairman South‑South, Sir Victor Giadom, while addressing party officials, stakeholders, and supporters during the party’s first public hearing on constitutional amendments held at Hogis Royale in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

He also stated that the exercise was aimed at gathering members’ voices, ensure inclusivity, and adapt to the evolving party constitution and national needs.

Sir Giadom asserted thus, “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,” he noted.

He further described the APC’s constitution as the cornerstone of internal democracy and the embodiment of collective values and aspirations, noting that President Bola Tinubu has ordered an expansive and all-inclusive amendment of the party’s constitution to fill gaps, accommodate the expansion of the party’s organs and correct any existing grey areas.

“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 have commenced 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 matter, 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 stressed.

In his remarks to declare open the Public Hearing, Cross River State governor,  Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu, represented by the Speaking Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, welcomed the party’s stakeholders, describing APC as a party with an open hand to welcome anybody.

Governor Otu, noted that APC is for all and urged the stakeholders to use the opportunity to make very meaningful contributions to the construction of the party’s structure and operations.

His Excellency went further to states that, “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.

He concluded, “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 stated.

The APC state Chairman, Evangelist Barr Alphonsus Eba, who also double as the  South South representative in the APC Constitutional Amendment Committee, stated that the committee is saddled with the responsibility of holistically amending the party’s constitution to expand and accommodate women, youth and physically challenged persons.

He is of the opinion that the constitution amendment shall include expanding the National Executive Committee to accommodate former governors; strengthening representation for women, youth and persons with disabilities; and revising articles 12, 18, 19 and 20 to create additional seats for under‑represented groups.

He explained further, “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 added.

Eba,  emphasised the importance of having an inclusive constitution, revealing that there were about 100 memoranda that were submitted to the constitution review committee.