The manifesto and Constitution of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is expected to be ready in two weeks being the deadline given to the committees of the merging opposition parties to submit their reports.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the inauguration of the 60-member Constitution, manifesto and INEC/Legal compliance committees of APC, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Tom Ikimi, also reeled out a 31-item terms of reference to guide the committees.

While each of the committees has 20 members each across the four merging parties, ACN, ANPP, CPC and APGA, the INEC/Legal Compliance committee has 5-point term of reference, but the constitution and manifesto committees have 13-point terms of reference apiece.

The terms of reference for the constitution committee include; examining the constitutions of all merging partners in detail and analysing them, examining the political party constitutions from successful democracies with a view to adopting some suitable provisions, designing a constitution which provides adequate structures and safeguards for the principle of party supremacy provided that its provisions do not contravene the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.”

The Manifesto committee’s term of reference on the other hand include; defining the philosophical/ideological content of the APC, distinguishing it from other parties, reflect on the social, economic and political situation prevailing in the country, on the plight of the generality of our people, urban and rural alike, youth and women and preparing a manifesto which addresses the needs, yearnings and concern of our people.

The INEC/Legal compliance committee is to determine and examine all legal issues related to the process of merger of political parties, provide guidelines to all the parties involved in the merger, which will ensure full compliance with all relevant laws by all the parties and to liaise with INEC and all other relevant agencies to ensure a smooth consummation of the merger.

Members of the constitution committee include Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Aremo Segun Osoba, Senator Chris Ngige, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and Barrister Adebayo Shittu among others.

The manifesto committee, is expected to design the motto, slogan and message of the APC, and members include Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Prof. Tam David-West, Osita Okechukwu and Dr. Haruna Yerima among others.

The INEC/Legal Compliance committee have Senator George Akume, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Admiral Lanre Amosu (rtd), Governor Kashim Shetima, Dr. Ibrahim Lame and Prince Marshal Anyanwu among others as members.