The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the ongoing amendment of its constitution is to enhance inclusivity and diversity within the party by prioritizing and strengthening representation for women, youth and people with disabilities.

The APC National Vice‑Chairman South‑South, Victor Giadom, stated this on Monday while addressing party officials, stakeholders, and supporters during the party’s first public hearing on constitutional amendments held at Hogis Royale in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

Giadam also said the exercise was aimed at gathering members’ voices, ensure inclusivity, and adapt the constitution to evolving party and national needs.

“I welcome you to the ancient city of Calabar for the first public hearing of the amendment of the constitution of our great party, the All Progressive Governors (APC).

“Our constitution is the fundamental principles or established principles that define our collective agreement and rules for the day-to-day work of our great party. It outlines the powers, rights, and limitations of party members and its leadership,” the South South Zonal Vice Chairman noted.

Giadom, who further described the APC’s constitution as the cornerstone of internal democracy and the embodiment of collective values and aspirations, noted that President Bola Tinubu has ordered an expansive and all-inclusive amendment of the party’s constitution to fill gaps, accommodate the expansion of the party’s organs and correct any existing grey areas.

“The constitution is not just a mega framework; it is a living testament to our commitment to justice, equity, and the rule of law. Upon the directives of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for an expansive and all-inclusive caucus and national equity committee of our great party, the amendment should have commenced commence in August to fill in the gap and accommodate the expansion of the stated organs of the party and correct any existing grey areas therein.

“As we embark on this important public hearing, starting from the South South region, let us deliberate on potential amendments, let us remember the importance of inclusivity and representation.

“Every voice matter, and every perspective enriches our understanding of the issues at hand. We must strive to ensure that our constitution reflects the diversity of our great country.

“Together, let us reshape a constitution that not only serves us today, but also inspires our future to uphold the values of justice, peace, unity and progress, which is our party motto and slogan”, Giadom stressed.

Declaring the Public Hearing open, the Governor of Cross River, Prince Bassey Otu, welcomed the party’s stakeholders, describing APC as a party with an open hand to welcome anybody.

Otu, who was represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, noted that APC is for all and urged the stakeholders to use the opportunity to make very meaningful contributions to the construction of the party’s structure and operations.

“APC is a party that has no front, no back line between the rich and the poor. And indeed, the APC is for all of us. This exercise is not oblivious to the fact that people need to make contributions to this party if we want to build a stronger APC; an APC that will lay down a blueprint that will span across 50 years and beyond.

This public hearing, is one of the best because Cross River has the opportunity to make very meaningful contributions to the construction of the party”, he stated.

The South South representative in the APC Constitutional Amendment Committee, Barr. Alphonsus Eba in his remark said that the committee is saddled with the responsibility of holistically amending the party’s constitution to expand and accommodate women, youth and physically challenged persons.

Eba who is also the Chairman of APC in Cross River State stated that the constitution amendment shall include expanding the National Executive Committee to accommodate former governors; strengthening representation for women, youth and persons with disabilities; and revising articles 12, 18, 19 and 20 to create additional seats for under‑represented groups.

“We are here to amend our constitution and make it more inclusive and to reflect Nigeria’s diversity. The amended constitution will serve us today and inspire our future, upholding justice, peace, unity and progress”, he added.

He, also emphasised the importance of having an inclusive constitution, revealing that there were about 100 memoranda that were submitted to the constitution review committee.

Some of the memoranda submitted to the committee were from the Forum of State Chairmen of APC, Bayelsa State APC, the South South Zonal APC, Cross River State APC, and Akwa Ibom State APC.

Others included Cross River State House of Assembly, former APC Zonal Vice Chairman, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, and the APC special Leader, Dr Juliana.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing North senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has been reported to have dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection Which has ended months of speculation according to news report is not unconnected with a meeting he had with the Presidency Thursday in which he was assured of President Bola Tinubu’s total support.

Jarigbe is said to have also called the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, informing him of his defection and was assured of the governors backing.

And reacting, the Cross River State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a press release issued on Thursday stated that his departure does not threaten the party’s core structure but has left the party “focused, strong and united.”

“While the Party respects his personal decision, we wish to make it clear that his departure neither shakes our structure nor distracts us from the ongoing task of rebuilding a stronger and more united PDP across the state,” the statement read.

The PDP pointedly reminded the public and its members that the mandate Senator Jarigbe currently holds in the Senate was a product of the party’s support base. The statement described the mandate as “freely given to him by members and supporters of the PDP – people whose trust, loyalty, and sacrifices built the very platform he now chooses to abandon.”

“His exit only strengthens our resolve to remain steadfast to the ideals that have sustained the PDP as the most organized and people-oriented political platform in Cross River State,” the release stated.

The party, currently under the stewardship of a Caretaker Committee led by Rt. Hon. Bassey Ewa, affirmed its commitment to its rebuilding agenda. The committee stated it remains “focused on restoring unity, deepening grassroots engagement, and strengthening party structures in preparation for future victories.”

By: Archibong Emmanuel

(Snr. Reporter)