Amendment of APC constitution will guarantee transparent primaries, women, PLWDs inclusion – Radda
By Zubairu Idris
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has backed efforts being made to amend the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying this would not only guarantee free and transparent primary election, but also seamless inclusion of women, youth and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) into all affairs of the party.
Radda, who stated this in Katsina during the Northwest public hearing on the amendment of the party’s constitution, said that APC was founded on the vision of progressive governance, internal democracy, accountability and service to Nigerians.
He said, “The amendment was about principles, sustainability and unity of the party and the nation. We must ensure that amending the constitution will strengthen internal democracy by guaranteeing free and transparent primary election that will reflect the will of the grassroots, uphold accountability and transparency in the party finances, decision making and leadership, and enhance inclusivity by ensuring equitable representation of women and youth and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) at all party structures. ”
The governor urged all those elected on the platform of the APC to respect respect the party, because they were what they are today because of it.
Radda commended President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership, and urged Nigerians to continue to support the administration for the betterment of the nation.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, said it was necessary to amend the constitution in order to reflect the current realities.
Buni, represented by Cross Rivers State Chairman of APC, Mr, Alphonsus Eba, said that the current constitution has excluded past governors and members of the National Assembly from being part of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), hence the need to amend to recognise their contributions.
He said that all the memoranda submitted would be compiled to produce single document which would be presented during the national convention in the interest of all members.
Also speaking on behalf of the committee members, Ms Miriam Onuoha, said that they were in the state to collate views and opinions of party members in North-west, on how they think APC could become the largest party in Africa.
She noted that the key areas they received memoranda border on women, youth and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) and their inclusion into the party.
According to her, the constitution would continue to uphold internal democracy at all levels.
Onuoha revealed that the constitution had provided 11 positions in Ward Executives were allocated to women.
The Secretary of the committee, who is also the APC National Legal Adviser, Malam Murtala Aliyu-Kankia, commended President Tinubu and the party leadership for setting up the committee to carry out the exercise, in order to strengthen internal democracy and make the APC the largest political party in Africa.
