Proposed APC Constitution To Reduce Chair’s Powers
THERE are indications that the powers of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may be whittled down, if a new constitution being proposed by its Constitution Review Committee (CRC) sails through.
A draft copy of the new constitution, which is subject to ratification by the National Convention slated for next month, provides for the inauguration of an Advisory Council in place of Board of Trustees (BOT). The council is proposed to serve as the conscience of the party.
The APC Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) had on March 2 inaugurated an eight-member CRC chaired by Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN) to review the constitution to accommodate the new dynamics of managing a ruling party.
The John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) had in 2017 set up a similar committee headed by Muniz Banire. The committee’s recommendations were not implemented.
The Mamman-led committee report is billed for presentation to the Caretaker Committee immediately after the Ramadan holiday.
The highlight of the report sighted by The Nation is a recommendation to water down Article 14.1 of the APC Constitution (as amended), which enunciates the powers of the national chairman.
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A source CRC said the decision was “to check the overbearing tendencies exhibited by previous holders of the office.”
He added that the advisory council will replace the BOT as provided for in Article 12:2 of the constitution.
It was also gathered that the review committee did not tamper with the controversial mode of conducting primary elections of the party in Article 20 of the constitution.
The constitution prescribes the procedure for the nomination and emergence of party candidate for any elective office which can either be by direct or indirect primary or through consensus.
Article 20(iii) says that “nomination of candidates for (a). Local Government House Council/Area Council Chairman, (b). State House if Assembly; (c). House of Representatives, (d). Senate, (e). Governor, (f). President shall be through direct or indirect primary elections to be conducted at the appropriate level.’
Article 20(ii) (a) also gives room for the emergence of candidates through consensus with a proviso that “a vote of yes or no should be called to ensure that it was not an imposition which could breach discontent and crisis.”
A new directorate is also to be created for Women and Youth, to bring the number to seven from the existing directorates of organisation, publicity, administration, finance, research, planning, and strategy as well as social welfare.
In the proposed constitution, more powers are accorded to the zonal officers of the party. Unlike what obtains now that crisis and issues arising from state chapters of the party are directed to the NWC, under in the new document, the Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) is to attend to such cases.
However, issues that the ZWC is unable resolve will be referred to the NWC.
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