NEC roles for ex-govs, party leaders in APC’s constitution amendment

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to create permanent roles for former governors, Senate Presidents, Speakers, and National Chairmen in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as part of its ongoing constitutional amendment. The Secretary of the APC Constitutional Amendment Committee and National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, revealed this during the North Central […]

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to create permanent roles for former governors, Senate Presidents, Speakers, and National Chairmen in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) as part of its ongoing constitutional amendment.

The Secretary of the APC Constitutional Amendment Committee and National Legal Adviser, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, revealed this during the North Central APC Constitutional Amendment Public Hearing held in Lafia on Wednesday.

Kankia explained that the move aims to retain the experience and institutional knowledge of past leaders who currently lose their NEC positions once their tenures end.

“Former governors, after completing their tenure, no longer hold a position in the NEC, meaning they are excluded from the party’s decision-making process. The same applies to former national chairmen, Senate Presidents, and Speakers,” he said. “That’s why we’re trying to find ways to include them, so they can continue to contribute and serve as resource persons for the APC.”

The National Legal Adviser added that the committee’s work also focuses on expanding inclusion and participation within the party, particularly for women, people with disabilities, and new members.

“Our mandate is to review critical aspects of the constitution, enhancing space for women and people with disabilities, and addressing challenges faced by new members,” he said. “For instance, when someone joins the party, they often face obstacles because of the six-month waiting period before they can contest positions. We’ll examine this to ensure new members are not disadvantaged and can fully participate in party activities.”

Declaring the hearing open, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who is also a member of the committee, said the review was timely and necessary to strengthen internal democracy and ensure fairness.

“There is no better time than now for the APC to review its constitution to make it more inclusive and just for all members,” he said.

Sule assured that the committee would prioritise justice and fairness and give due consideration to all submissions made during the zonal hearings.