SOCIALIST
PARTY OF NIGERIA (SPN)
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS Nigeria is well endowed with
vast human and natural resources sufficient to provide a life of comfort and
abundance for a population many times her current size.
CONCERNED that in sharp contradiction to
the above, majority of Nigerians still live in conditions of abject poverty
with regular electricity supply a luxury; more than half of the roads
unmotorable; millions living in shanty houses and slums; over 100 million of an
estimated population of 170 million considered poor; millions of children not
in school and over 28 million youths unemployed.
SADDENED by the high level of poverty,
illiteracy, low life expectancy, maternal and infant mortality, hunger,
homelessness, joblessness, underdevelopment, poor health service delivery,
oppression of women, child labour, slave and casual labour, environmental ruin
as well as ethnic and religious conflicts that presently characterize Nigeria.
CONVINCED that a new and better Nigeria
where poverty amidst plenty does not exist and where the Nation's vast human
and natural resources are democratically planned and used for the betterment of
all is possible.
AWARE that this new and better Nigeria
so much desired by vast majority of Nigerians is achievable only through a
democratic socialist government which can only materialize through the coming
to power of a political party that genuinely represents the interests of the
Nigerian people.
COMMITTED to building the Socialist
Party of Nigeria (SPN) as a genuine party of the Nigerian people in order to
make possible another Nigeria that guarantees equity and justice as well as a
life of happiness and fulfillment for all, where every citizens will have
equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law and the
sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be
maintained and enhanced.
We members of the Socialist Party of
Nigeria (SPN) hereby enact and give to ourselves the following Constitution.
ARTICLE 1: SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
(i) This
constitution is the guiding principles of the Socialist Party of Nigeria
(ii) All members, officials and organs
shall derive their powers from this constitution.
(iii) This constitution shall guide all
party affairs and activities and all members shall carry out their duties in
line with the letters and spirit of this constitution.
ARTICLE 2: NAME
The name of the party shall be known as
“Socialist Party of Nigeria” and abbreviated as SPN.
ARTICLE 3: MOTTO
The motto of the party shall be “Beaming
Socialist Light on Capitalist darkness”
ARTICLE 4: LOGO
The logo of the party shall be a light
illuminating for the darkness to give way.
The logo signifies sustainable
development, advancement and industrialisation in replacement for backwardness
and underdevelopment.
ARTICLE 5: FLAG
The flag of the party shall be a green,
white and red. The logo of the party on the green colour with the Socialist
Party of Nigeria on the white and red colour.
ARTICLE 6: REGISTERED OFFICE
The registered national office of the
party shall be at No. 42 Adetokunbo Ademola Street Wuse II Abuja.
ARTICLE 7: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the party
are:
a. To
encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the federation through provision of adequate
facilities and infrastructure.
b. To
secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation
c. To
fight corruption by abolishing all forms of corrupt practices and abuse of power
d. To
harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an
efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy.
e. To
democratically control the national economy in such a manner as to secure the
maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social
justice and equality of status and opportunity.
f. To
promote through pro-people economic policies as opposed to pro-profit policies a planned and balanced
economic development that can ensure the material
resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to
serve the common good of the people.
g. To
ensure through the implementation of the twin socialist policies of public
ownership of the commanding heights of the economy and their democratic control
and management by the people that the economic system of our nation is not
operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means
of production and exchange in the hands
of few individuals or of a group.
h. To
ensure that suitable and adequate shelter as well as affordable and adequate
food are provided for the people
i. To
ensure that a national minimum living wage is paid to workers while the aged,
the pensioners, the unemployed, the sick and the disabled are paid reasonable
social benefits.
j. To
ensure a Nigeria where every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations
and opportunities before the law; where the sanctity of the human person shall
be recognized and human dignity maintained and enhanced; where government
actions shall be humane; where exploitation of human or natural resources in
any form whatsoever for reasons other than the good of the community shall be
prevented; and the independence, impartiality and integrity of courts of law,
and easy accessibility thereto shall
be secured and maintained.
ARTICLE 8: MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the party shall be
open to all Nigerian citizens irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, gender
and social-economic status provided that:-
a. The person is 18 years of age and above.
b. The person does not belong to any other
political party
ARTICLE 9: PROCEDURE FOR MEMBERSHIP
a. Every
member shall fill a prescribed membership application form and pay membership fee as the National Executive
Committee (NEC) shall fix from time to time.
b. Every
member shall complete a membership form and be issued a membership card, which
shall indicate other details including monthly subscriptions.
c. Application
for membership shall be made to a local branch or National Secretariat.
ARTICLE 10: MEMBERS OBLIGATIONS TO SPN
a. Every
member of the party shall respect the views of other members and adhere strictly to the principle of equality
of all members irrespective of their
religion, ethnicity, gender, social and economic status.
b. Every
member shall pay his/her monthly membership subscription as prescribed by NEC from
time-to-time.
c. Members
shall participate in Party activities, including attending meetings.
d. Every
member is expected to abide by and work towards the accomplishment of the aims and
objectives of the party
e. No
member shall engage in anti-party activities and those that can put the party in disrepute.
f. Every
member shall subject himself or herself to party decision. All members are
bound to adhere strictly to all democratically reached decisions and
resolutions and must jointly strive to implement them even if he, she or they
were in minority when the decision was reached.
g. No
member shall personally profit from any Party or elected position. All Party members elected to positions shall
regularly publish accounts of how they dispose of their income, including
salaries and expenses, from such positions
ARTICLE 11: RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF
MEMBERS
Every member shall have the right to:
a. Participate
fully in the determination of the policies, principles, programmes and
strategies of the party.
b. Express
their opinions and campaign for their views within the structures of the party,
including having right of access to Members' Bulletin.
c. Further
canvass his/her position amongst members and party structures with the aim of
reversing an existing majority decision; however until that is achieved,
members with a minority decision will participate in implementing majority
decisions.
d. Fair
hearing; whenever there are matters of contention and controversy, the NEC and
other democratically constituted leadership organs shall ensure that all views
are heard, read and debated by members, including in the run-up to a National
Congress.
e. Vote
and be voted for into elective posts, in any organ of the party, subject to guidelines by the NEC or any organ so
designated.
f. Stand
for election to public political offices subject to the approved guidelines by
the NEC of the party for determining the party's candidates for elections.
g. Participate
in the political education of the party necessary for preparing them for
responsibilities in the party and the nation.
ARTICLE 12: PARTY STRUCTURES (ORGANS)
a. Ward
Executive Committee (WEC)
b. Ward
Congress
c. Local
Government Area Executive Committee (LEC)
d. Local
Government Congress
e. State
Executive Committee (SEC)
f. State
Congress
g. National
Executive Committee (NEC)
h. National
Congress.
ARTICLE 13: COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS AND
POWERS OF PARTY ORGANS
(1)
WARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (WEC)
Composition
The Ward Committee shall be elected,
once in every two years, at the Ward Congress and shall be composed as follows:
a. Chairperson
b. Deputy
Chairperson
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
e. Financial
secretary
f. Youth
Leader
g. Ex-officio
member
The Ward Executive Committee shall meet
at least once every month.
(2) FUNCTIONS
OF WARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
a. To
organize Ward Congress and implement its decisions.
b. To
propose policies/resolutions for the consideration of the Ward Congress.
c. To
undertake membership drive, promote and implement programmes and manifesto of
the Party
d. To
implement the political education programme of the Party.
e. Evaluate
and periodically monitor the performance and activities of the elected
officials at the local government level.
f. To
take any other actions in the interest of the Party.
g. To
organize ward meetings at least once in a month as well as emergency meetings when necessary.
h. Where
the Chairperson fails to call a meeting for more than one month, simple
majority of the entire WEC members can call a meeting with one of them elected
to chair the meeting.
i. Where
WEC or its members fail to call a meeting for more than 2 months, simple majority of the entire active members
can convoke a meeting with one of them
elected to chair the meeting. Resolution(s) reached at the meeting shall be
deemed to be reached by the WEC.
J. To
take disciplinary measures against erring members of the party at the ward
level in accordance with laid down procedures as spelt out in Article 17 of
this constitution.
(3)
WARD CONGRESS.
There shall be Ward Congress once in
every 2 years.
Composition
a. All
members of the party in the ward shall be delegates at the ward congress except:
(1)
members who are in arrears of dues for more than three months and
(2)
members who have stopped participating in party activities for more than three
months.
b.
All members of the Ward Executive Committee.
(4)
FUNCTIONS/POWERS OF WARD CONGRESS
a. To
elect members of the Ward Executive Committee.
b. To
elect delegates to the LGA and State Congresses of the Party.
c. To
elect the Party's candidate for councillorship elections on the basis of the
Party's guidelines.
d. To
audit the ward's financial statements.
e. To
consider disciplinary measures to be taken against any erring member.
f. Take
any other action in the best interest of the Party in the Ward.
g. To
consider and approve the Ward Executive Committee's Report, the Financial and the Auditor's
Reports.
h. To
receive and evaluate performance report of the Councilor representing the Ward and other elected local government
officials.
(5)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA (LGA)
Local Government LGA Executive Committee
Composition
The LGA Executive Committee shall
comprise the following officers and ex-officio members:
a. Chairperson
b. Deputy
Chairperson.
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
e. Financial
Secretary
f. Research
and Documentation officer
g. Youth
Leader
h. One
Ex-officio member
The LGA Executive Committee shall meet
at least once every month.
(6)
FUNCTIONS OF THE LGA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
a. To
organize the LGA Congress and implement its decisions.
b. To
propose policies/resolutions for the consideration of the LGA Congress.
c. To
undertake membership drive and promote the policies, program and manifesto of
the Party.
d. To
execute the programmes and implement policies of the party in the local government area.
e.
To oversee and run the activities of the party at the LGA on a day-to-day basis.
f. To
issue rules and regulations for the Party administration in the LGA including coordination of the activities of the Ward
Executive Committee.
g.
To undertake any other activity or measure in the best interest of the Party in
the LGA, including disciplinary actions on erring members.
h. To
receive and periodically evaluate the activities of the elected members of the
Party in the Local Government Authority.
I.
To organize local government general meetings at least 6 times in a year.
j. Where
the chairperson fails to call a meeting for more than two months, simple majority of the entire LEC members
can call a meeting and one of the
attendees elected to chair the meeting.
k. Where
the entire LEC members fail to call meeting for more than 3 months, a simple
majority of active WEC can convoke a meeting where the chairpersons and secretaries can attend with one of them
elected to chair the meeting.
Resolution(s) reached at the meeting shall be deemed to be reached by the LEC.
l. To take disciplinary action against
erring members who engage in anti-party activities after fair hearing have been
extended to such members with the caveat that every person so disciplined shall
have right of appeal to LGA Congress or higher levels of the party structure.
Disciplinary measures against erring members of the party must follow laid down
procedures as spelt out in Article 17 of this constitution.
(7) LGA CONGRESS
Every Local Government Area shall hold
Biennial Congress.
Composition of the LGA Congress
a. All
members of the Local Executive Committee.
b. Chairperson
and Deputy Chairperson and all elective government officers of the Local Government produced by the Party.
c. Delegates
elected by the Congress of each Ward within the LGA. Delegates in this instance
shall be proportional to the numerical strength of the wardsbased on active
members.
d. The
LGA Executive Committee shall come up with the number of delegates to represent
each ward based on their numerical strength and activities.
e. The
ratio of delegate to active members for a ward shall not be less than one to
five.
(8) FUNCTIONS/POWERS
OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONGRESS
a. To
elect members of LGA Executive Committee.
b.
To elect delegates to the State Congresses of the Party.
c. To
ratify or repeal disciplinary measures taken by the LGA Executive Committee.
d.
To elect the party's candidates for chairperson of the LGA and the deputy on
the basis of the party guidelines
e. To
approve Party's tactics, activities, policies and programme for the LGA for the
next two years, without usurping the roles of other structures and organs of
the party
f.
To consider and approve Local Government Executive Committee Report, the
Financial Report and the Auditor's Report.
g. To
receive and evaluate the activities of the government of an LGA.
h. To
review and evaluate the activities of the elected councilors and/or chairperson
under the party's banner in the local government area.
(9)
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (SEC)
Composition of the State Executive
Committee
The State Executive Committee shall
comprise of:-
a. Chairperson
b. Deputy
Chairperson.
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
e. Financial
Secretary
f. Research
and Documentation officer
g. Publicity
Secretary
h. Legal
Adviser
I. Auditor
j. Youth
Leader
k. Women
Leader
l. One
Ex-officio
(10)
FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
a. The
State Executive Committee shall meet at least once every month.
b. The
State Executive Committee shall convoke general meeting of the party at state
level at least twice in a year. Where SEC meeting could not hold as prescribed
above, simple majority of the active local government Executive Committees can
convoke a general meeting and any decision taken at such meeting(s) shall be
deemed to have been reached by SEC.
c. To
coordinate the activities of all organs of the Party in the state and ensure
their viability.
d.
To organize the Party's election campaigns.
e. To
promote the party's policy, execute programmes and manifesto and implement the
education programme of the party.
f. To
implement the decisions, resolution and directives of the State Congress, National Executive Council and the
National Convention.
g. To
consider the report of the State Working Committee, the Financial and the Auditor's reports and approve the budget
for the state.
h. To
receive and periodically evaluate and monitor the performance and activities of
the state government if produced by the party.
i. To
take disciplinary action against erring members who engage in anti-party
activities after fair hearing have been extended to such members with the caveat that every person so disciplined
shall have right of appeal to the State
Congress or National Executive Committee (NEC). Disciplinary measures against
erring members of the party must follow laid down procedures as spelt out in
Article 17 of this constitution.
(11)
STATE CONGRESS
Every State shall hold state congress
once every three years.
Composition of the State Congress
a. All
members of the State Executive Council of the party.
b. The
Governor and the Deputy Governor, National or State Assembly members elected on
the Party's platform.
c. Delegates
elected by the Congress of each LGA within the state. Delegates in this
instance shall be proportional to the numerical strength of the LGA. SEC shall
come up with the number of delegates to represent each LGA based on their numerical strength and
activities.
(12)
FUNCTIONS/POWERS OF THE STATE CONGRESS
a. To
elect delegates to the National Congress of the Party.
b. To
consider the reports of the State Executive Committee including the financial and auditor's
reports.
c. To
ratify or repeal disciplinary action taken against Party members in the State while any member so dissatisfied of the
decision shall have the right of appeal to the National Executive Committee and
National Congress.
d. Elect
the governorship, State Assembly and National Assembly candidates of the Party
in the state on the basis of the party's guidelines.
e. To
approve the Party's programme to be put to the electorate for elections.
f. To
take any other decision in the best interest of the party in the state.
g. To
receive and evaluate the performance of the state government if elected under banner of SPN.
(13)
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC)
The National Executive Council shall
comprise of:-
a. National
Chairperson
b. National
Deputy Chairpersons representing Nigeria’s Geo-political zones.
c. National
Secretary
d. National
Treasurer
e. National
Financial Secretary
f. National
Publicity Secretary
g. National
Legal Adviser
h. National
Auditor
i. National
Youth Leader
j. National
Women Leader
k. 2
Ex-officio members.
(14)
FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC)
The NEC shall:
a. Be
responsible for developing and overseeing the party's policies and programme
and implementing the decisions of the National Congress.
b. Establish
close liaison between the various state branches and other structures of the
party.
c. Prepare
the agenda and organize the national congress as and when due
d. Prepare
and submit reports and recommendations for the consideration of the National Congress.
e. Prepare
draft policies and programmes for the consideration of the National Congress.
f. Resolve
disputes and other matters referred to it by lower organs of the party.
g. Make
rules on party discipline and loyalty
h. Have
the powers to decide on and convene Special National Congress and other Special Congresses of the
other party structure.
i. Employ
and determine the conditions of service of the workers at the national level.
j. Monitor,
guide and supervise the lower organs of the party.
k. To
take disciplinary action against erring members who engage in anti-party
activities including expulsion after fair hearing have been extended to such
members with the caveat that every person so disciplined shall have right of
appeal to the National Congress. Disciplinary measures against erring members
of the party must follow laid down procedures as spelt out in Article 17 of
this constitution.
l. Organize
NEC meetings at least twice in a year. Where the National Secretary fails to
call meetings as specified, a simple majority of the entire NEC members can
call a meeting with one of them elected to chair the meeting. Where the NEC
fails to call meeting, simple majority of all active State Executive Committees can convoke meeting and
decision taken shall be deemed to have been reached by NEC
(14)
NATIONAL CONGRESS
The National Congress shall hold once
every 4 years.
Composition
a. The
president and Vice President of Nigeria elected on the party's platform.
b. The
Senate President and Deputy; the Speaker and Deputy and any other principal legislative official(s) elected on
the Party's platform
c. Delegates
elected by the congress of each state within the Federation including Abuja. The NWC shall
determine the number of delegates to represent
each State based on their numerical strength and activities.
(15)
Functions/Powers of the National Congress
a. To
determine the core policies and programmes of the party.
b. To
receive reports and recommendations from the National Executive Committee and take decisions
on them.
c. To
delegate any of its functions and power to the National Executive Committee or any other organ
of the party.
d. To
elect National Officers of the Party and constitute the National Executive
Committee. To elect the Party's Presidential candidate and his running mate on
the basis of the Party's guidelines.
e. To
amend the constitution of the party.
f. To
exercise such other powers and functions as provided by the constitution.
g. To
undertake, endorse or repeal disciplinary actions against members.
(16)
SPECIAL NATIONAL CONGRESS
Notwithstanding the provisions of the
previous sections there shall be Special National Congresses to address
specific issues concerning the party whenever the need arises. These Special
Congresses shall be called by NEC.
ARTICLE 14: FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF
NATIONAL OFFICERS
1. The
National Chairperson
a. He/she shall preside over all meetings
of the National Executive Committee.
b. He/she shall supervise, control and
manage the Secretariat and all NEC elected office holders in the performance of
their duties and exercise of their powers;
c. He/she shall ensure and supervise the
implementation of the Party vision, mandate
and Congress resolutions;
d. He/she shall approve all expenditures
and shall be a signatory to the party's bank account(s).
2. National
Deputy Chairpersons
a.
There shall be one National Deputy
Chairpersons representing each of the geo-political zones in Nigeria. A person
to be elected must be an indigene in one of the states that make up the zone.
b. The National Deputy Chairpersons shall
coordinate party activities in their respective zones on behalf of NEC
c. In the absence of the National
Chairpersons, one of the National Deputy Chairpersons shall be elected by the
National Executive Committee to act.
d. They shall carry out such other functions
such as may be assigned to them by National Chairperson or NEC.
3. National
Secretary
a. He/she shall be the Chief
Administrative Officer of the party and shall be in charge of the day to day
running of the affairs of the party and its correspondence.
b. He/she shall convene the NEC and Secretariat
meetings in consultation with the Chairperson as required by the Constitution.
c. He/she shall keep an up-to-date register of
all members, structures and committees of the Party, including the minutes of
all national meeting.
4. National
Treasurer
a. He/she shall be responsible for the
proper administration of the party's finances.
b. He/she shall be one of the signatories
to the party's bank account(s).
c. He/she shall prepare the annual
financial report of the Party including compilation of the party's assets and
liabilities and make same available to
Party and INEC from time to time.
5. Financial
Secretary
a. He/she shall be responsible for proper
record keeping of party finances
b. He/she shall generally assist the
National Treasurer.
6. National
Publicity Secretary
a.
He/she shall be responsible for preparing
press releases and organizing press briefings/conferences for the party.
b. He/she shall be responsible for the
publicity of the party and its activities.
c. He/she shall be responsible for the
production and publication of party literature, bulletins, newspapers, etc.
7.
National Legal Adviser
a. He/she shall be a legal practitioner.
b. He/she shall render legal advice to the
party.
8. National
Auditor
a. He/she shall be responsible for proper
and accurate auditing of the party's finances.
b. He/she shall submit annual audited
report to the NEC.
I0. FUNCTIONS OF OFFICERS
(WARD, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE)
The functions of officers of the party
at other levels (Ward, LGA and State) shall derive from that of the National.
ARTICLE 15: TENURE OF OFFICE
a. All
National Officers of the party shall hold office for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for re-election for
not more than one additional term
b. All
State Officers of the party shall hold office for a period of Three (3) years
and shall be eligible for re-election for not more than one additional term
c. All
Local Government officers of the party shall hold office for a period of three
(3) years and shall be eligible for re-election for not more than one additional term
d. All
Ward Officers of the party shall hold office for a period of two (2) years and
shall be eligible for re-election for not more than one additional term
ARTICLE 16: VACANCY
In the event of vacancy in any party
office at national, state, local and ward levels arising from either removal,
ill-health and or incapacitation of any kind, the National Executive Committee
(NEC), State Executive Committee (SEC), Local Government Executive Committee
and the Ward Executive Committee of the party at the respective levels shall
appoint a member of the party in acting capacity pending the next congress.
ARTICLE 17: PARTY DISCIPLINE
e. Any
member of party who violates decisions of the Party, breach the Party's
constitution or whose conduct or actions are contrary to or damaging to the objectives
of the party shall be subject to disciplinary action.
f. In
exercising disciplinary control, every structure of the party shall rely in the first instance on persuasion while punitive
measures shall be the last resort.
g. A
member against whom an allegation has been made shall be given a written notice
by the respective party structures on the nature of the allegation against him
or her while a reasonable time period not exceeding one month must be given such a member to respond to the
allegation(s).
h. Where
a member who is under disciplinary action fails to respond to the allegation within a reasonable time not
exceeding two weeks, it shall be deemed an acceptance of guilt.
i. Where
a member is found guilty of misconduct by a simple majority of the Ward, Local
Government, State Executive Committee or NEC, he or she shall either be
suspended for duration not more than 6 months or expelled. If suspended, the
member concerned shall write a letter of apology after expiration of the suspension assuring that such action that
necessitated the disciplinary action will not repeat itself and satisfied, he
or she shall be readmitted after review.
j. As
the last resort, expulsion shall be endorsed by a decision supported by a simple
majority of the Ward, Local Government, State Executive Committee or NEC leadership.
k. Any
member subject to any disciplinary action shall have the right of appeal to
higher structures of the party up to the National Congress. The disciplinary
action shall meantime remain in full effect pending the result of the appeal.
ARTICLE 18: PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS
a. All
members who stand for public office shall act in accordance with the policies, programmes and decisions of the
party.
b. Every
public office holders shall only take the wage of a skilled civil servant based
on the existing civil service wage structure. NEC shall determine the salary
and allowance to be received by public office holders from time-to-time. Any
excess shall be donated to the party to aid party work, assist the struggles of
the working people or shall be disbursed in a manner decided by the NEC or
Congress.
c. Every
elected public officer of the Party can be summoned to appear before party
structure by simple majority of meetings/congresses or by special emergency meeting/congress provided
one month written notice and explanation is given in advance. The Ward
leadership can summon councilors, the LGA leadership can summon Chairmen,
deputy chairmen and Councilors; SEC can summon state legislators, Governors,
deputy governors and public
officers of the local government council; NEC can summon all public office
holders at all level including elected President, Vice President and federal
legislators. Where it is impracticable for the elected
public officer to appear within one month, additional period as deem fit shall
be given to the officer or option to send a written response. Where the response is not clear enough
or satisfactory, the officer must appear
in person within a period that will not exceed additional one month.
ARTICLE 19: QUORUM
One third of all eligible delegates to
the various Congresses shall form the quorum. One third of eligible members of
all party structures' meetings form the quorum.
ARTICLE 20: METHOD OF VOTING
Voting in all meetings shall be by:
a.
Show of hands
b.
Secret ballot if demanded by simple majority of all eligible members at
the meeting.
ARTICLE 21: PARTY FINANCES
a. Income: the funds of the party shall be
derived from:-
i. Monthly dues or subscription as the
NEC of the party may decide from time to time.
ii. Donations and public collection proceeds
from investments and special fund raising from members and supporters.
iii. Levies
b. Distribution
of Funds: Monthly membership dues shall be distributed as follows:-
i.
Ward - 15%
ii.
LGA - 20%
iii.
State - 25%
iv.
National - 40%
c. Bank
Accounts
i. The party shall maintain bank accounts
at National, State, Local Government and Ward levels of the party.
ii. The Executive Committees of the
various levels of Party shall decide the banks for such accounts.
iii.
Any two of the following officers
of the party, one of whom shall be the chairperson, shall be valid signatories
to the party's bank accounts and other financial transaction:-
The
National Chairperson at the national level; chairpersons in the State, LGA and
Ward levels.
The
National Treasurer at the national level; treasurers in the State, LGA and Ward levels.
ARTICLE 22: STANDING ORDERS
The following standing orders shall
guide the conduct of all meetings of the party.
(a)
The following basic agenda
shall be observed at meetings:-
i) Apologies for non-attendance if duly
tendered.
ii) Minutes of last meeting and any
matters arising from it.
iii) Matters arising from party activities
iv) Reports
v) Campaigns and interventions
vi) Finance
vii) AOB
(b) No
member shall speak more than once on the same issue unless other members who
intend to express their opinion on the same issue have had an opportunity to do
so.
(c) Discussion
shall be limited to the immediate question at issue. The chairperson may call to order any member who
introduces any matter not relevant to the question at hand.
(d) If
after sufficient discussion on any issue at a meeting, there appears to be no
consensus, the chairperson shall put the issue to vote.
(e) Every
decision of the party shall be arrived at by a simple majority of eligible
members present and voting.
(f) A
point of order may be raised by any member and must be heard at all times
except during the act of voting and the point of order shall be a means of regulating the conduct or procedure of the
meeting with particular reference to
such matters as decorum, violation of standing orders and the introduction of
matters not relevant to the issue under discussion.
(g) The
chairperson shall rule on any point of order. His/her ruling could only be reversed by a simple majority of eligible
members present and voting.
(h) Every
member shall abide by all decisions of the party until they are altered, provided
that any member may call for a review of any decision, of members at any
subsequent meeting. Minority member or members must implement every decision but can seek to upturn such
decision or resolution through
either subsequent meeting or higher party structure.
(i) Elected
members of all leadership structures are entitled to notice of leadership
meetings except where he or she is suspended or expelled.
(j)
The Party would be deemed to have a functional branch in a state, LGA and Ward
if it has at least 2 members among whom shall be either interim or substantially
elected Chairperson and Secretary. These two officers of the Party could become
the springboard to more members and officers.
(k) Party
actions and activities could be carried out through committees set up by the
organs or the general meetings at all levels. Committees are only to work
within a specified time limit and with a mandate.
ARTICLE 23: AMENDMENT OF THE
CONSTITUTION
(i)
The National Congress of the Party shall have the sole right of amending any provision of this Constitution based on a
majority vote, provided that the
amendment does not contravene any of the laws of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, and shall be registered in the principal offices of INEC within 30 days.
(ii) Such
amendment(s) must be communicated in writing to NEC members at least 3 months
to a National Congress.
(iii)
NEC must circulate the proposed constitutional amendments to all SEC for
discussion at least 2 months to the National Congress.
