Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution Review Committee, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, has stated that his team will carry all stakeholders along to produce an amended document that will be acceptable to all power blocs within the ruling party.
Governor Buni gave the assurance on Friday while briefing newsmen on the mandate of his team.
It will be recalled that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC), at its meeting on Wednesday, announced the composition of a seven-member team to review its existing constitution, with the Yobe State Governor as chairman. Other members were drawn from each of the geopolitical zones, with Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele representing the South West.
The Yobe State Governor assured party faithful that his team would be meticulous in delivering on the assignment to ensure all contending forces are carried along.
He said: “Like you rightly mentioned, yesterday the 13th NEC, in its wisdom, appointed us as members of the party to look at certain parts of the constitution with a view to expanding it and working on some parts of the constitution.
“As you are aware, there is nothing like static perfection. Development is about continuous improvement, and of course, laws are made for men; men are not made for laws. So, laws can always be adjusted to accommodate the interests of the party and its members.
“A party like APC, the biggest party in Africa today, has so many leaders. I want to assure you, the committee will deliver.
“The calibre of the members of the committee are seasoned and committed party members who are willing to contribute to the development of the party.
“We shall also be in consultation with the founding fathers of the party. Those who drafted the constitution of the party—we are consulting them because we know it takes wisdom to produce a party constitution. We cannot discard their wisdom and create something different. We will consult them.
“It is all about inclusivity. We are going to work on that, and by the grace of God, we are sure God will guide us and see us through to deliver on the work as expected of us.”
Speaking on the terms of reference for his committee, the Yobe State Governor said all issues of interest to the survival of the party would be addressed.
“The mandate of the committee is a very wide one, and we will keep briefing you (media) as we progress. Like I said, we are to expand and look at so many critical areas to improve upon what we have as a constitution today. And of course, certain areas that will benefit members of the party and ensure wider participation. So, this is something that I cannot say, ‘This is where we are going to stop,’ or ‘This is where we are going to start.’ But I am assuring you, it is all about improving the constitution of the party for wider participation and involvement.
“The party is growing; you have to do so many things to accommodate so many people too. You know, a political party is where you have a lot of competing and conflicting interests.
“The President, in his wisdom, has seen to all these things, and of course, there has been clamour for so many changes, and with that, I am sure we are going to address some of these clamours.”
When asked about the timeline for the committee, Governor Buni said its reports and recommendations would be submitted to the NEC of the party, which on Wednesday adjourned indefinitely.
“Ours is a committee of the NEC. We are to report to NEC. That means we are to recommend to NEC.”
He denied insinuations that the proposed constitution review was instigated by the Presidency.
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