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THE CONSTITUTION OF ACTION CONGRESS ARTICLE1. PRIMACY OF THE PARTY CONSTITUTION Without prejudice to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or of any other law for the time being in force in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the provision of this Constitution shall take precedence over and above any other Ruler or Regulations of the Party, where such Rules or Regulation are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Party.
ARTICLE 2 NAME AND DESCRIPTION OF PARTY
2.1 PREAMBLE: Conscious of the need (i) To preserve and promote the sovereignty, unity and progress of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (ii) To promote the welfare and happiness of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; (iii) To promote true (proper) Federalism in Nigeria based on social justice, freedom, equality, peace and progress of all our people; (iv) To prom true an environment of tolerance and peaceful co-existence. To build a new Nation which will guarantee equal opportunity for all, Mutual respect and understanding, and elimination of all forms of discrimination among out people; and (v) To render selfless service and enkindle in all Nigerians a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism;
WE, MEMBERS OF ACTION CONGRESS Do hereby solemnly RESOLVE This day, to give unto ourselves this Constitution, having duly accepted that in all conduct and deliberations we shall be bound and directed by its provisions. The provisions of this Constitution shall be supreme and any other rules or regulations of the party, which are inconsistent with these provisions shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be null and void.
2.2 NAME There shall be a political party, called, addressed and known as ACTION CONGRESS hereinafter referred to as "the party"
2.3 MOTTO The Motto of the Party shall be Justice, Peace and Progress.
2.4 SLOGAN: The Slogan of the Party shall be: Democracy Forever!
2.5 EMBLEM: The emblem of the Party Shall be a Broom
2.6 THE FLAG The flag of the party shall be Green, White, Black, with the party's emblem imposed on the flag
ARTICLE 3: SECRETARIAT The registered office of the party shall be located in Abuja the Federal Capital of Nigeria, with offices in state capitals, local government headquarters, and wards.
ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP
COMPOSITION AND REQUIREMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP Membership of the party shall be open to every citizen of Nigeria irrespective of place of origin, religion or ethnic identity. To be accepted and recognized as a member of the party, a person shall fulfill all of the following conditions: a) Be a Nigerian citizen and not below the age of eighteen (18) years; b) Be registered as member of the party at the ward of his or her choice; c) Lawfully possess a membership card in his or her name; d) Pay the prescribed registration fee. e) Not be a member of any other political party
ARTICLES 5: AIMS AND OBJECTIVE The aims and objectives of the party shall include the following: (i) To uphold and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other laws in the Federation. (ii) The attainment of political power through legitimate, democratic and constitutional means for the purpose of cultivating an egalitarian society based on the principles of equality, freedom and Social justice. (iii) To provide a purposeful and integrity driven leadership for Nigerians (iv) To promote unity and political stability by ensuring access to power and key public offices by all sections of the country. (v) To establish conditions and structures which shall guarantee social justice, equality of opportunities, social, economic, and political freedom for the people and the general welfare of all peoples of Nigeria. (vi) To defend the sovereignty of the people and the observance of open democratic process in all organs of party, government and state. (vii) To reduce poverty, want, ignorance discrimination of all kinds, corruption, and exploitation in our society to the barest minimum. (viii) To maintain and promote the multi religious character of Nigeria, as well as religious tolerance and harmony. (ix) To encourage the development of agriculture, commerce and industry. (x) To ensure purposeful mobilization of the creativity and resources of the people of Nigeria for the establishment of an economic environment in which opportunities for the fulfillment of life and the pursuit of happiness shall be open to all Nigerians; and a fair and equitable distribution of the wealth of the Nation. (xi) To promote active participation of Nigerians in the strategic sectors of the economy. (xii) To create enabling environment for full and gainful employment for all Nigerians who are able and willing to work, and to secure for workers full fruits and benefits of their labour; (xiii) To provide the basic necessities of life, e.g. food, portable water, roads, security, recreation facilities, environmental protection etc. (xiv) To provide (where and when practicable) free universal education at all levels and free health for all. (xv) To protect the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians and Lo strive to obtain for them the greatest possible returns for their labour. (xvi) To embark on integrated rural development aimed at enhancing the quality of life of rural dwellers. (xvii) To co-operate with trade union organizations and co-operative movements for the economic progress of Nigeria. (xviii) To create conditions for the purposeful r1evelopment of Youth and for the development of their leadership capability to manage national institutions and resources effectively. (xix) To create opportunities for, and encourage full development of the political, social, cultural and economic potentials of the Nigerian woman. (xx) To protect and promote the rights of the child to achieve optimum development. (xxi) To Pursue a dynamic foreign policy aimed at: (a) Friendly and reciprocal relations with all states; (b) Political and economic progress of Nigerians and peoples of African descent in particular and all oppressed people of the world in general; (c) Promotion of the cultural values of Nigerians and African people all over the world; and (d) International peace, harmony and co-operation.
(xxii) To organize branches throughout the Federation, sponsor candidates and canvass for votes for their election into elective offices. (xxiii) To foster and defend the freedom of the press and the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all Nigerians. (xxiv) To co-operate with any institution or association for the purpose of achieving the objectives of the party. (xxv) To ensure that the policies and programmes of the party shall be in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and that accordingly, the party shall at all times pursue the political, economic, social, educational and other objectives as well as the Directive Principle of State Policy provided for in the said Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (xxvi) To promote the development of science and technology. (xxvii) To undertake any activities and adopt any measures or policies which shall be aimed at improving the general conditions and well-being of all Nigerians
ARTICLE 6. 6. Rights and obligations of members (i) Membership shall confer o the individuals the following rights and privileges: a) Right to contest elections on the platform of the Party without any discrimination whatsoever. b) Right to democratic process and to free and fair elections c) Right to fair hearing. d) Right to good governance and accountability e) Any other rights or privileges conferred on members by the Nigerian Constitution, this Constitution and by other regulations of the party.
(ii) Upon enrolment, a member shall: (a) Pay all such fees and levies as may be prescribed from tune to time by any of the national, state, local government and ward organs of the party. (b) Be deemed to have accepted to abide by the provisions of the party's Constitution as well as its policies and programmes;
(c)
Be
deemed to have accepted to abide by all lawful directives (d) Be deemed to have accepted to refrain from acts capable of undermining the aims and objectives of the party.
ARTICLE 7: 7. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
7.1.1. LEVELS OF OPERATION OFTHE PARTY For purpose of organization, the party shall in ascending order, operate at the following levels: (a) Ward; (b) Local Government Area; (c) State (d) National
7.1.2. The organizational structure at the state level shall also apply mutatis mutandis to the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.
7.1.3 Without prejudice-to article 7.1.1 of this Constitution, any level of the party may put in place such zonal political arrangement that may serve its own peculiar political circumstances.
7.1.4. Where there is a zonal structure of the party pursuant to article 7.1.3, such zonal structure may have powers and functions similar to those of the executive committee of the level of its operation 7.2. PARTY ORGANS CONSTITUTION OF PARTY ORGANS The following shall constitute the organs of the party: a. The National Convention b. The Board of Trustees c. The National Executive Committee d. National Working Committee e. The State Congress f. The State Elders Forum g. The State Executive Committee h. The State Working Committee i. The Local Government Area Congress j. The Local Government Area Executive Committee k. The Ward Congress l. The Ward Executive Committee
7.3. COMPOSITION OF PARTY ORGANS: 7.3.1. Ward Executive Committee: I. Chairman II. Deputy Chairman III. Secretary IV. Assistant Secretary V. Treasurer VI. Assistant Treasurer VII. Financial Secretary VIII. Assistant Financial Secretary IX. Organizing Secretary X. Assistant Organizing Secretary XI. Publicity Secretary XII. Assistant Publicity Secretary XIII. Legal Adviser XIV. Assistant Legal Adviser XV. Welfare Officer XVI. Assistant Welfare Officer XVII. Auditor XVIII. Assistant Auditor XIX. Youth Leader XX. Woman Leader XXI. 2 Ex-Officio Members XXII. Members of the National Convention from the ward. XXIII. Councilor
7.3.1. (i) The Ward Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month. 7.3.2. POWER AND FUNCTIONS (i) Ward Executive Committee: The Ward Executive Committee of the party shall be the principal executive organ of the Ward and shall: (a) Convene the Ward Congress and prepare its agenda; (b) Make recommendations on policies and programmes to the Ward Congress (c) Pursuant to article 9 discipline its members (d) Implement the decision of the Local Government Congress (e) Handle all other matters that may be referred to it by the Local Government Executive
7.4. The Ward Congress: The Ward Congress shall consist of all registered members of the party in the ward
7.4.1. Ward Congress: Power and Functions The powers and functions of the Congress in each Ward shall include the following: (a) Evolving policies and programmes for the fulfillment of the aims and objectives of the party in the Ward; (b) Exercising all other powers, authority and functions similar to those of the L.G.A Congress in the area of its jurisdiction, (c) Nominating councillorship candidate for the Local Government council elections in accordance with the guideline of the party (d) Acting as electoral unit for the purpose of nominating candidates for the local government, state and National Assembly elections in its constituency (e) Implementing directives from the Local Government Congress.
7.5 Local Government Area Executive Committee: Every Local Government Area shall have an executive Committee of the Party which shall comprise: (i) Chairman (ii) Deputy Chairman (iii) Secretary (iv) Assistant Secretary (v) Treasurer (vi) Assistant Treasurer (vii) Financial Secretary (viii) Assistant Financial Secretary (ix) Organizing Secretary (x) Assistant Organizing Secretary (xi) Publicity Secretary (xii) Assistant Publicity Secretary (xiii) Welfare Officer (xiv) Assistant Welfare Officer (xv) Legal Adviser (xvi) Assistant Legal Adviser (xvii) Welfare Officer (xviii) Auditor (xix) Assistant Auditor (xx) Youth Leader (xxi) Women Leader (xxii) Ward Chairmen of the party (xxiii) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Local Government Council who are members of the party. (xxiv) 1 Ex-Officio Member from each ward of the LGA
7.5.1. The Local Government Executive Committee shall meet at least once in a month.
7.6. Local Government Area Executive Committee: Power and Functions The Local Government Area Executive Committee of the party shall be the principal executive organ of the Local Government Area Congress and in this capacity shall: (a) Convene the Local Government Congress on the recommendation of the Local Government Area Executive Committee or in exceptional circumstances on directives from the National, or State Executive Committee. (b) Make recommendations on policies and programmes to the Local Government Congress (c) Implement the decision of Congress.
7.7. Local Government Area Congress: The Local Government Area Congress shall consist of: (i) Chairman of the Local Government Area (ii) Deputy Chairman (iii) Local Government Area Executive Committee Members of the party (iv) National and State Congress members of the party from the Local Government Area (v) Councilors who are members of the party or councillorship candidates nominated by the party. (vi) Ward Chairmen and Ward Executive members of the party within the Local Government Area.
7.8. Local Government Area Congress: Powers and Functions. The powers and functions of the Congress in each Local Government Area shall include the following:
(a) Evolving policies and programmes for the fulfillment of the aims and objectives of the party in the Local Government Area; (b) In area of its jurisdiction, exercising all other powers, authority and functions similar to those of the State Congress provided that state functions shall be replaced by the Local functions; (c) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Constitution, ratifying candidates in accordance with the guidelines approved by the National Executive Committee of the party at a special congress convened for that purpose. (d) In cases where the Local Government constitute state and federal constituency, the Local Government Constituency shall be responsible for the nomination of candidates into those houses (e) To take and ensure the implementation of directives from the State Congress.
7.9. State Executive Committee The State Executive Committee shall comprise (i) Chairman (ii) Deputy Chairman (iii) Three Vice-Chairmen, one from each Senatorial District (iv) State Secretary (v) State Assistant Secretary (vi) Treasurer (vii) Assistant Treasurer (viii) Financial Secretary (ix) Assistant State Financial Secretary (x) State Publicity Secretary (xi) Assistant State Publicity Secretary (xii) State Legal Adviser (xiii) Assistant State Legal Adviser (xiv) State Welfare Officer (xv) Assistant State Welfare Officer 1. State Organizing Secretary (xvi) Assistant State Organizing Secretary (xvii) State Auditor (xviii) Assistant State Auditor (xix) Youth and Woman leader; (xx) National Executive Committee members of the party from the state (xxi) The State Governor and the Deputy Governor who are members of the by the party (xxii) The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Party Whip and their Deputies in the State House of Assembly who are members of the party (xxiii) The Chairman and Secretary of the party in each Local Government Area of the state (xxiv) Local Council Chairmen and their Deputies who are members of the party (xxv) One Ex-Officio member from each LGA of the state
7.9.1. The State Executive Committee shall meet at least once every three months
7.10. The State Executive Committee: Powers and Functions The State Executive Committee of the party shall be the principal executive organ of the State Congress and in this capacity shall: (a) Convene the state congress on the recommendation of the State Executive Committee or in exceptional circumstances by the National Executive Committee. (b) Organise and supervise nomination of candidates for Local Government Council elections and State and National Assembly elections in accordance with the guidelines approved by the National Executive of the party. (c) Organize, manage and supervise the elections of Party Chairmen and members of the Party Executive Committees in the Local Governments within the State and in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. (d) Make recommendations on policies and programmes to the state congress; (e) Implement the decisions of the State Congress; (f) Where the party is in power, guide and advise the government and generally assist in the faithful implementation of the party's programmes (g) Generate funds for the achievement of the party's objectives; (h) Pursuant article 9, discipline any member of the party; (i) The State Executive Committee may appoint sub-committee(s) and adhoc committees to carry out any of its functions from time to time as occasion demands.
7.11 The State Working Committee: Composition (i) State Chairman who shall be Chairman (ii) State Deputy Chairman (iii) State Secretary who shall serve as Secretary to the Committee (iv) State Deputy Secretary (v) State Treasurer (vi) State Deputy Treasurer (vii) State Financial Secretary (viii) State Deputy Financial Secretary (ix) State Publicity Secretary (x) State Deputy Publicity Secretary (xi) State Organizing Secretary (xii) State Deputy Organizing Secretary (xiii) State Welfare Officer (xiv) State Deputy Welfare Officer (xv) State Legal Adviser (xvi) State Deputy Legal Adviser (xvii) State Auditor (xviii) State Deputy Auditor (xix) State Youth Leader (xx) State Women Leader
7.ll.i. State Working Committee The functions of the National Working Committee shall be carried out Mutatis Mutandis by the State Working Committee.
7.11.ii. The State Working Committee shall meet at least once a month
7.12 State Congress (i) Chairman (ii) Deputy Chairman (iii) Three State Vice Chairmen, one from each Senatorial District (iv) The Governor and deputy Governor who are members of the party (v) Members of the National Assembly who are members of the party (vi) Members of the National Executive Committee of the party from the State (vii) Members of the National Convention of the party within the State. (viii) Members of the State Executive Committee of the party (ix) Members of the State House of Assembly who are members of the party (x) Chairman and Secretary of the party in the Local Government Area (xi) Local Government Council Chairmen and their Deputies who are members of the party (xii) All Ward Chairmen (xiii) 5 delegates from each ward of the state elected for that purpose at least one of who must be a woman. (xiv) The local government Youth Leader and Woman Leader if from the local government.
7.13. State Congress: Powers and Functions The State Congress shall have the following powers and functions: (a) Electing officers of the party that will constitute the state executive of the party (b) Electing members of the party as candidates for gubernatorial elections (c) Exercising all other powers, authority and functions similar to those of the National Convention in its area of jurisdiction (d) Without prejudice to the provisions of this Constitution, ratifying candidates in accordance with the guidelines approved by the National Executive Committee of the party at a special congress convened for that purpose. (e) Ensuring the implementation of directives from the National Convention.
7.14. The provision/references in this Constitution relating to Ward, Local Government and State levels of organization of the party shall apply mutates mutandis to ward, Area Council and Federal Territory levels of the Party Organisation.
7.15. National Executive Committee The National Executive Committee shall comprise of : (i) National Chairman who shall be the chairman (ii) Deputy National Chairman (iii) National Secretary (iv) Deputy National Secretary (v) National Treasurer (vi) Deputy National Treasurer (vii) National Financial Secretary (viii) Deputy National Financial Secretary (ix) National Organizing Secretary (x) Deputy National Organizing Secretary (xi) National Publicity Secretary (xii) Deputy National Publicity Secretary (xiii) National Legal Adviser (xiv) Deputy National Legal Adviser (xv) National Welfare Officer (xvi) Deputy National Welfare Officer (xvii) The National Auditor (xviii) Deputy National Auditor (xix) National Women Leader (xx) National Youth Leader (xxi) State Chairmen of the Party (xxi) The Chairman of the party in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (xxii) The President and Vice-President of the country who are members of the Party (xxiii) State Governors who are members of the Party (xxiv) President and Deputy President of the Senate, the Speaker and Deputy (xxv) Speaker in House of the Representatives who are members of the party (xxvi) Majority or Minority Leader, Party whip and their Deputies in the National Assembly who are members of the party (xxvii) One Ex-Officio member from each state of the Federation and FCT, Abuja
7.16 National Executive Committee: Powers and Functions The National Executive Committee of the party shall be the principal executive organ of the National Convention and in this capacity shall: (a) Convene the national convention if necessary; may at any time appoint a committee to organize and summon congresses of the party. (b) Prescribe guidelines and modalities for the election of candidates for elective positions/offices at all levels. (c) Implement the decisions of the National Convention (d) Where the party is in power, guide and advise the government and generally assist in the faithful implementation of the party's programmes. (e) Where the party is not in power at any level of government, critically examine government policies and programmes and advise or criticise the government as appropriate in order to ensure good governance at that level of government in the interest of the nation. (f) Generate funds towards the achievement of the party's aims and objectives. (g) Decide on the final appeal on all matters of discipline for any member of the party. (h) Approve the annual budget of the party and recommend the adoption of the audit report to the Convention.
7.17. National Working Committee National Working Committee shall be composed of: (i) National Chairman who shall be the chairman (ii) Deputy National Chairman (iii) National Secretary (iv) Deputy National Secretary (v) National Treasurer (vi) Deputy National Treasurer (vii) National Financial Secretary (viii) Deputy National Financial Secretary (ix) National Organizing Secretary (x) Deputy National Organizing Secretary (xi) The National Publicity Secretary (xii) Deputy National Publicity Secretary (xiii) National Welfare Officer (xiv) Deputy National Welfare Officer (xv) National Legal Adviser (xvi) Deputy National Legal Adviser (xvii) National Auditor (xviii) Deputy National Auditor (xix) National Youth Leader (xx) National Woman Leader
7.18. National Working Committee shall: (a) Be the caucus of the party and in the exercise of its responsibilities be responsible to the National Executive Committee of the party. (b) Intervene in disputes and ensure justice and equity in the resolution of the matter. (c) Monitor party activities nationally for conformity with the party's norms and standards. (d) Consider and make recommendations on disciplinary action against any member, officer, and organ of the party to the National Executive Committee of the party pursuant to article 9 of this Constitution
7.19. National Convention The national convention shall comprise of: (i) The National Chairman (ii) The Deputy National Chairman (iii) All members of the National Executive Committee of the party (iv) State Chairmen of the party
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