2027: Nwosu, Ihedioha, Abaribe, 18 others to review ADC constitution

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appointed former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, its immediate past national chairman, Ralphs Nwosu; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, legal icon, Etigwe Uwa (SAN) and 16 others to review its constitution, to ensure inclusivity in line with global best practices.

National chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, while inaugurating the 21-member Constitution Review Committee of the party in Abuja Thursday, said the event marked a significant milestone in the continuous growth and institutional strengthening of the ADC and “underscores our collective resolve to build a party founded on strong democratic values, internal cohesion and effective governance.”

Mark said a party’s constitution is its moral compass and legal backbone that defines its ideology, guides its conduct, regulates internal processes and safeguards internal democracy.

“As our party continues to expand in reach and responsibility, it is both necessary and timely to review our constitution to ensure that it reflects present realities, anticipates future challenges, and aligns with global best practices in democratic party administration.

“This exercise is not about changing principles; it is about strengthening them. It is about ensuring clarity, fairness, inclusiveness and accountability in our structures and processes. It is about creating a framework that empowers our members, promotes unity, resolves disputes fairly and positions the ADC as a credible alternative for national leadership,” he said.

The ADC boss charged members of the committee to listen to the voices of party members at all levels, respect the party’s founding values, and produce a constitution that strengthens internal democracy, enhances discipline and guarantees transparency in party affairs.

With Uwa as chairman, other members of the committee include Peter Oyewole, C.I. Maduabum, Isaka Bawa, Dr Sally Oguni-Agbo, Aishatu Dan-Kani, and Prof Lawal Salihu.

Others are Mohammad Kumalia, Suleiman Usman (SAN), Zawo Osu, D.I.G. Ibrahim Adamu (rtd), Dr Rasaq Saliu, Senator Orker Jev, Senator Idris Umar, Amanda Pam, Prof Mohamned Bello, Dr Paul Angya and Lamido Dodo.

The committee was given 30 days to submit an interim report and proposed amendments to the National Working Committee (NWC).

In his acceptance speech, Uwa promised a tidy and acceptable constitution that would make the ADC stand out.

He described the fractionalisation and multiplicity of party officials up to the unit level as novel, adding that the committee would critically examine it as a means of grassroots penetration and mobilisation.

He said, “We will seek inputs from as many members as possible and do our best to produce a near-ideal, autochthonous, and workable constitution that enjoys buy-in and acceptance across the party and the country.”