The All progressive Congress is to have its constitution and manifesto in two weeks’ time.
A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, stated this while inaugurating three committees saddled with the responsibilities of producing the documents and others.
One of the three committees would produce the constitution; the second, the manifesto committee, will produce the motto, slogan and messages of the party, and the third, Committee on Legal and Constitutional Compliance, will handle documentations on how to meet the legal requirements for its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
All the committees have two weeks within which to submit their reports to the Joint-Party Merger Committee.
Each committee has 20 members each.
Among those in the party’s Constitution committee are Governor Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Osoba, Dr. Chris Ngige, Sen. John Udoedehe, Attahiru Bafarawa, Prof. Fabian Osuji and Chika Nawauwa.
The Manifesto Committee has Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Chief Chike Udenwa, Prof. Tam David-West, Chief Osita Okechukwu, Mr. Ezenwa Onyewuchi and Chief Ikechukwu Alor, among others, as members.
Among those saddled with the responsibility of providing legal and constitutional compliance for INEC are Borno StateGovernor, Ibrahim Shetima; Chief James Ocholi SAN), Prof. Buba Bagoja, Chief Henry Ajomale, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Martin Agbaso, Dr. Anyim Nyerere and Prince Marshal Anyanwu.
Both the Constitution and Manifesto committees were given 12 terms of reference, while the Legal and Compliance committee was handed four terms of reference.
Ikimi told the Constitution Committee to “examine the constitutions of all the merger partners in detail and analyse them.”
He said, “Examine political party constitutions from successful democracies with a view to adopting some suitable provisions. Design a robust and defendable constitution for APC which will derive its strength from sound democratic ideals and which will deepen our nation’s democracy and ensure a thriving internal party democracy.
“Provide proper safeguards for discipline within the party which will guarantee adequate access to justice by all members without prejudice.”
For the Manifesto Committee, Ikimi said the members should make agriculture the party’s priority.
He said being an issue on the concurrent legislative list, “our manifesto should go beyond the general statements of supporting it, but should aim at targets and timeliness while outlining the steps to take to actualise that.”
He said while defining the philosophical/ideological content of the APC, the committee must clearly distinguish it from other party, especially the Peoples Democratic Party.
Ikimi added that social services, such as education, health services, water supply, electricity, clean environment and food supply should be given adequate attention in the manifesto.
The last committee would determine and examine all legal issues related to the process of merger of political parties and provide guidelines to all the parties involved in the merger, which he said would ensure full compliance with all relevant laws by all the parties.
According to him, the members are also to liase with INEC and all other relevant agencies to ensure a smooth consummation of the merger.
via Punch
