Buni: APC constitution will improve women, youths’ inclusion in NEC

Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe state, says the recommendations of the seven-member committee mandated to review the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will ensure the inclusion of women and youths in the national executive committee (NEC) of the party.

In an interview with journalists on Friday, Buni said the committee will work with the party’s stakeholders to deliver the mandate.

On Wednesday, APC organised its first NEC meeting since August 2023.

During the meeting, the ruling party inaugurated a seven-member committee to review its constitution to accommodate more members into the NEC.

Buni is the chairman of the committee that has Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader; Alphonsus Ogar Eba, chairman of APC in Cross River; Aminu Bello Masari, former governor of Katsina; and Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, as members.

Buni said APC is growing and is committed to including more members to enhance inclusion.

He added that the party is seeking to improve women and youth participation in its leadership structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

“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,” the Yobe governor said.

“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.

“The party is growing; you have to do so many things to accommodate so many people too. You know that a political party is where you have a lot of competing and conflicting interests.

“For women and youth participation, that’s why I say we are improving. It is all-encompassing. We are bringing all these on board.

“So, we are making a very wide recommendation, and of course, NEC in its wisdom will look at our recommendations, and I am sure it’s going to work for members of our party.”