By Cletus Asuquo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has kicked off its nationwide constitutional amendment process in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, with a charge to ensure inclusivity, equity, and justice in the partyโs operations.
The event, which marked the first public hearing of the constitutional review exercise for the South-South geopolitical zone, had in attendance key party leaders, including the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, Cross River APC Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, who represented Governor Bassey Otu.
In his remarks, at the Hogis Royale hotel yesterday, Giadom said the amendment exercise was in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the APC more inclusive and responsive to modern political realities.
โOur constitution remains the cornerstone of our internal democracy and the embodiment of our collective values and aspirations,โ Giadom said. โThis review is not just a legal process but a democratic exercise that invites every memberโs voice to be heard.โ
He explained that the amendment would address grey areas in the partyโs current framework, expand its organs, and strengthen representation across all levels.
Also speaking, the Cross River APC Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, traced the review process to a national caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa on February 25, 2025, where President Tinubu directed the exercise to begin.
โThe President made it clear that our constitution must evolve to accommodate former governors, women, and youths who play critical roles in the partyโs success,โ Eba said.
โHe emphasized the need for inclusivity and tasked the National Working Committee to commence the amendment process immediately.โ
Eba, who is also a member of the review committee representing the South-South, commended Governor Bassey Otu for providing logistical support and ensuring that the zone hosted the inaugural session of the public hearing.
Representing the Governor, Speaker Elvert Ayambem described the exercise as โa significant step toward building a stronger, more people-oriented APC.โ
โOur constitution is the safeguard of our liberties. This review offers an opportunity to build a party structure that can stand strong for the next fifty years and beyond,โ Ayambem stated.
He lauded President Tinubu for โrepositioning Nigeria in the comity of nationsโ and thanked party stakeholders for their unity and commitment.
The session also featured the adoption of memoranda from across the South-South, which will be transmitted to the national committee for consideration before the final ratification at the national convention.
