The Chairman of APC-USA, Professor Adesegun Labinjo has called on the APC National Convention to give more roles to the APC Diaspora chapters in the party’s Constitution.
Reacting to Notice of the Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of the APC given by the Buni-led Extraordinary National Caretaker Committee of APC to the National Convention of the Party, Professor Labinjo lamented that the proposed constitution provides no role whatsoever for the Diaspora Chapters. He said that it is not enough for the constitution to authorize and recognize Diaspora Chapters, but the Diaspora Chapters should be given specific roles or duties in the constitution so that the Diaspora members can be part of the development of the party and the country. Professor Labinjo said that the constitution gives and assigns specific duties or roles to the Polling Units, the Ward, the Local Government, the State and the National levels of the party without extending same to the Diaspora Chapters.
Professor Labinjo believes that a Diaspora Chapter like the USA Chapter and its members, should be able to vote and be voted for at the National Convention. He said that a member of APC-USA who wishes to run for any elective position should be able to do so based solely on his/her membership of APC-USA and does not have to necessarily register in his/her ward in Nigeria. Professor Labinjo also suggested that USA being the model of democracy, APC-USA should have a slot in the NEC of the party and in any zoning formula adopted by the party in distribution of party and government positions. Professor Labinjo said that there are abundant talents and experts amongst APC members in the Diaspora especially in the APC-USA that can significantly contribute to the development of the party and the country. He said that the party should give these Diaspora members the opportunity and the party platform to help the country.
Professor Labinjo said that APC-USA appreciates the services of the Buni-led Extraordinary National Caretaker Committee but urged them and the National Convention to consider the expansion of the NEC and the National Convention of the party to include the Diaspora Chapters and members.