Lafia: Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has declared open the North Central zonal public hearing on the amendment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) constitution, calling for inclusiveness and broad stakeholder participation in the process.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sule commended the Amendment Committee for its commitment and dedication in reviewing the party’s constitution to reflect current realities.
He emphasized that the exercise was timely, considering the growth of the party and the need to strengthen its internal democratic structures. Sule highlighted that the initiative originated from President Bola Tinubu, who formed the committee with three governors to lead the review. As a member of the committee, Sule noted that the party’s progressive ideals continued to attract new members, including serving governors.
Sule attributed the increasing strength of the APC to reforms initiated by Tinubu, such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, which he said had boosted government revenues at all levels. He encouraged stakeholders to submit memoranda on the proposed amendments, assuring that all submissions would be duly considered to capture genuine concerns and ideas.
In his remarks, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the APC, commended Gov. Sule for his unwavering commitment to the party’s growth and success in Nasarawa State. Yilwatda, represented by the party’s Assistant National Secretary, Dr. Abdulkarim Kana, described Sule as a ‘party-friendly governor’ and a model leader.
Barr. Murtala Kankia, National Legal Adviser of the party and Secretary of the committee, stated that the purpose of the public hearing was to gather the views of party members and stakeholders across all levels. The committee was constituted to review key areas of the party’s constitution to enhance inclusiveness and address emerging issues within the APC structure.
Kankia explained that the proposed review would formalize waivers for new members who wish to contest elective positions without meeting the existing six-month membership requirement. He noted that the zonal hearings were part of the committee’s strategy to ensure broad-based consultation before arriving at a final draft. The committee had received about 17 memoranda from different stakeholders in the North-Central zone.
He added that a technical sub-committee would harmonize the submissions and eliminate duplications. The final report would be presented to the National Executive Committee (NEC) for adoption after a national public hearing. Kankia also hinted that the proposed amendment might create space for former governors, presiding officers of the National Assembly, and former national chairmen to participate in NEC meetings. He assured that the committee members were working with urgency to complete the assignment promptly.