By Nelson Ogbu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has inaugurated a high-powered Constitution Review Committee as part of efforts to deepen internal democracy, strengthen accountability, and reposition the party for effective national leadership.
At the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the National Chairman of the party, Senator David A. B. Mark, GCON, described the constitution as the moral compass and legal backbone of any political organisation, stressing that the review was timely and necessary to align the ADC with present realities, future challenges, and global best practices. He said the exercise was not intended to alter the party’s founding principles but to strengthen them by promoting inclusiveness, fairness, discipline, and transparency across all party structures.
Senator Mark charged the committee to conduct wide consultations, strengthen provisions on party primaries, dispute resolution, and internal governance, and ensure full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant electoral laws.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Barrister Etigwe Uwa, SAN, thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in the committee and assured members of its total commitment to the assignment. He said the review would focus on producing a forward-looking constitution with strong mechanisms for grassroots mobilisation, fair and democratic selection processes, and robust dispute-resolution frameworks capable of shielding the party from recurring internal crises.
According to him, the committee will draw from best practices, critically examine party structures down to the unit level, and seek inputs from members nationwide through both physical and virtual engagements.
The 22-member committee includes senior legal practitioners, former governors, senators, and party leaders such as Barr. Peter Iyeola Oyewole; Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum; Hon. Ishaka Bawa; Sen. Ehigie Uzamere; Mrs. Sally Oguni-Agbo (PhD); Barr. Aishatu Dan-Kani; Prof. Lawal Salihu; H.E. Emeka Ihedioha; Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe; Hon. Mohammed Kumaila; Barr. Suleiman Usman, SAN; Bar Zawo Osu; DIG Ibrahim Adamu (Rtd); Dr. Rasaq Oyelami Saliu; Sen. E.Y. Orker-Jev; Sen. Idris Abdullahi Umar; Chief Ralph Nwosu; Barr. Amanda Pam; Prof. Mohammed Sani Bello; Dr. Paul Angya; and Rukayya Lamido Dodo.
The committee is expected to submit an interim report and proposed constitutional amendments to the National Working Committee within 30 days.
