Joshua Omoloye, Abuja
Ahead of national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chairman of Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) , Mai Mala Buni on Friday served a notice of proposed amendments to the party’s constitution on members of the National Convention.
This is in accordance with Article 30 (iii) of APC constitution which stipulates that the notice is served at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the National Convention at which the proposed amendments is to be considered.
National Secretary, CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudodehe said “APC Constitution 2014 has been in effect for almost eight years and together with judgments from Courts of competent jurisdiction, administrative experiences have revealed flaws in the Constitution. It became imperative to conduct a review of the Party’s Constitution.
According to him, 5the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee established a Constitution Review Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Tahir Mamman OON, SAN to thoroughly review the Constitution in accordance with Article 30 which provides for Constitutional amendments and adopted an all-inclusive approach which led to the draft proposals.
Broadly, the amendment proposals address “Clarify ambiguities in the Constitution, Fill gaps that became apparent, Recognize and expand platforms for participation of critical groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The amendment also “Replace the Board of Trustees (BoT) under a new title called National Advisory Council with streamlined memberships and clear powers and functions, Create zonal congresses, Clarify powers of National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC), Clearer accountability by organs of the party
and Clarify disciplinary procedures and powers etc”.