By Alaba Olusola Oke
Stakeholders within the All Progressives Party (APC) on Tuesday supported the party’s constitutional review in order to build a stronger inclusion.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the party on Tuesday organised Constitution Amendment South-West Public Hearing in Akure.
Declaring the summit open, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State said that the gathering was a political engagement that vindicates democratic values and ideology of the party.
“It affirms, unmistakably, that the All Progressives Congress is a living institution, capable of self-examination, responsive to change and committed to continuous renewal,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa explained that the review would strengthen the APC Constitution 2022 (as amended), reflecting statesmanship, foresight and fidelity to democratic principles of the party.
According to him, the process is a clear affirmation that internal democracy is not an option for the APC but fundamental.
“Through this open, transparent and participatory mechanism, the voices of party members, stakeholders and critical interest groups are being deliberately invited into the heart of party governance,” he said.
The governor urged, as deliberations commenced, all participants to approach the assignment with open minds, disciplined judgment and a deep sense of historic responsibility.
He promised that the state would remain steadfast in its commitment to the founding ideals of the APC.
Also speaking, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos said that APC needed to review its constitution in order to accommodate as many people.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Femi Hamzat, said that the intended inputs would strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that the review would allow the party to manage its structure and members to better the country.
In his remarks, the National Vice Chairman of APC, South-West, Mr Isaac Kekemeke, said that the party must be more strengthened, hence the need for the amendment.
Kekemeke stated that the idea was to ensure that the best interests of members of the party were given in line with betterment of the country.
He said that since the party belonged to the people, members must contribute for its continued existence and power-control.
One of the members of the Constitution Amendment Committee, Mrs Miriam Onuoha, said that the party’s constitution was needed considering the exodus of people into the party in order to capture interests of all.
Onuoha said that the interest of people with disabilities and womanfolk, who are members of the party would be addressed in the amendment.
She stated that the party through the amendment would address the party’s lacuna since the party had become a beautiful bride and a platform for Nigerians to give their own quotas to the development of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni
