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APC Plans Constitutional Reform to Create Permanent NEC Positions for Former Leaders

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled plans to amend its constitution, introducing permanent National Executive Committee (NEC) positions for the party’s former high-ranking officials, including governors, Senate Presidents, Speakers, and National Chairmen.

During the North Central APC Constitutional Amendment Public Hearing in Lafia on Wednesday, Murtala Aliyu Kankia, the committee’s Secretary and National Legal Adviser, outlined the proposed changes aimed at preserving institutional memory and leveraging experienced leadership.

The reform addresses a significant gap in the party’s current structure, where former leaders lose their seats in the decision-making body after completing their terms. “Former governors, national chairmen, Senate Presidents, and Speakers currently have no position in the NEC post-tenure,” Kankia explained. He emphasized the importance of retaining these experienced leaders as valuable resource persons for the party’s continued growth.

Beyond retaining former leaders, the constitutional review also focuses on broadening participation within the party. The committee is working to enhance representation for traditionally underrepresented groups, including women and people with disabilities. Additionally, they are reviewing policies that affect new members, such as the current six-month waiting period before eligibility to contest positions.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, serving as a committee member, endorsed the timing of the review during the hearing. “There is no better time than now for the APC to review its constitution to make it more inclusive and just for all members,” he stated. The governor pledged that the committee would ensure fairness in considering all submissions from the zonal hearings.

This constitutional amendment represents a significant shift in the APC’s organizational structure, potentially creating a more inclusive and experienced decision-making body while maintaining connections with its seasoned leaders.

The initiative comes as part of the party’s broader efforts to strengthen its internal democracy and ensure sustainable leadership succession, with the committee promising to carefully weigh all stakeholder input during the review process.