NTP Constitution

ARTICLE X: Procedure for membership:

Every member shall fill prescribed membership application form and pay membership fee N500 or as the NEC shall fix from time to time.

Every member shall be issued a membership card, which shall indicate other details including monthly subscriptions.

ARTICLE XI: Gender and affirmative Action:

In the Endeavour to reach the objective of full representations of women in all decision making structures the NTP shall implement a programme of affirmative action, including the provision of a quota of not less than thirty percent (30%) of women in all elected structures of the NTP to enable such effective participation.

The method of such implementation will be addressed in all NTP structures immediately and on a continuing basis.

ARTICLE XII: Party structures (Organ):

The NTP consists of the following Organs:

A.            Ward Congress

B.            Ward Executive

C.            Local Government Area Congress

D.            Local Government Executive Committee

E.            State congress

F.            State Executive Committee

G.            State working committee

H.            National convention

I.            National Executive committee

J.            National working Committee

ARTICLE XIII: Composition, Functions, and Powers Of Party Organs:

A. Ward

A 1 Annual Ward Congress:

Every ward shall hold an Annual Ward Congress.

A2 Function of Ward Congress:

To elect delegates to LGA, and state congresses of the party.

To elect members of Ward Executive Committee .

To determine the party's candidates for councillorship elections on the basis of the party's guidelines.

To approve the budget of the party in the ward.

To impose sanctions (except expulsion) on any defaulting member

Take any other lawful action in the best interest of the party in the ward.

To consider and approve the ward executive committee's report, the financial and auditor' reports.

Receive and evaluate performance report of the councilor representing the ward.

A3 Ward Executive Committee:

The Ward Executive Committee shall be elected at Annual Ward Congress and shall be composed of the following:

Chairperson

Vice Chairperson

Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Treasurer

Youth leader

Women leader

Advisory Council

Made up of The dept, chairman

L.G.A chairman,

Political office holders from the ward, state or national level and party executives from the ward.

A4.Functions of Ward Executive Committee:

To organize ward congress and implement its decisions and to convene ward general meetings.

To propose policies for the consideration of the ward congress.

To undertake membership, drive, propagate the ideology, program and manifesto of the party and also implement the political education program of the party.

To prepare the annual budget for the approval of the ward congress.

Evaluate and periodically monitor the performance of the councilor

To take any other lawful action in the best interest of the party.

B2 Composition of the LGA Congress:

All members of the executive committee in each ward

All members of LGA executive committee

Delegates elected by congress of each ward within the LGA

All elected officials (Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Councilors, members of State House of Assembly produced by the party from the LGA). State party officials from the LGA where not elected as delegates to Congress will participate in Congress deliberations in a non-voting capacity.

B3 Functions of the LGA Executive committee:

The LGA Executive Committee shall comprise of the following:

Chairperson

Two (2) Vice Chairperson

Secretary

Assistant Secretary

Treasurer

Publicity secretary

Ward Chairpersons and secretaries

Legal adviser

Youth leader

Women leader

Advisory council (made up of state and national party executives and political office holders (at the state or National level from the respective LGA)

B4 Functions of the Local Government Executive Committee:

The LGA Executive Committee, which meets monthly, shall meet:

To organize the LGA congress and implement its decisions

To propose policies for the consideration of the LGA congress

To undertake membership drive and propagate the ideology and manifesto of the party and organize the party's political program in the world

To issue rules and regulations for the party administration in the area     including coordination of the activities of the ward committee.

To undertake any other lawful activity or measure in the best interest of the party in the LGA, subject, to ratification by the LGA congress

To receive and periodically evaluate the activities of the local government, if controlled by the party or the activities of the councilors if the party is in the opposition

To prepare the budget of the party C. State:

C1 State Congress

Every state shall hold state congress every three (3) years.

C2 Composition of the state executive Committee:

All members of State Executive Committee

Delegates elected by the congress of each LGA within the state.

All elected officials (Governor, deputy Governor, LGA Chairpersons, speaker of he House of Assembly), where not elected as delegates to state congress will participate in congress deliberations in a non voting capacity.

C 3 Functions of the state congress:

To elect delegates to the national convention of the party.

To consider the reports of the states working committee including the financial and auditor's report.

To discipline party members in the state (except expulsion) and ratify disciplinary measures by LGA organs of the party.

Elect the governorship candidate of the party in the state including the deputy

governor on the basis of the party's guidelines.

To approve the party's program to put to the electorate for elections.

To take any other lawful decision in the best interest of the party in the state.

To receive and evaluate the performance of the states government.

C4 State Executive Committee (SEC)

The State Executive Council shall comprise

Chairperson

Deputy Chairperson

Three (3) Vice Chairpersons

Secretary

Two (2)Assistant Secretaries

Assistant Treasurer

Publicity Secretary

Assistant Publicity Secretary

legal Adviser

Women leader

Assistant women leader

Youth leader

Assistant youth leader

Advisory council (made of party national executives)

Three (3) Ex Officio Members

C5 Functions of the State Executive Committee

The state Executive Committee, which meets monthly, shall meet:

To co-ordinate the activities of all organs of the party in the state and ensure their viability

To organize the party's election campaign

To propagate the party's ideology, program and manifestos and implement the education program of the party.

To implement the decisions and directives of the state congress, National Executive Council and the National Convention.

To consider the reports of the state working committee the financial and the auditors reports and approve the budget of the state.

To receive and periodically evaluate and monitor the performance and activities of the state government.

C6 State Working Committee

The state Working committee shall comprise

All members of the State Executive Council

Leaders of Caucuses at state level

Principal officers of the House of Assembly from the party.

Governors and Deputy Governors from the party

C7 Functions of the State working committee

The State working committee which shall meet quarterly shall

Consider urgent and important issues affecting the party in the state.

Coordinate and harmonise relationships, and the activities of, the executive and legislative arms of the government and the party.

D.   National

D1 National Convention:

The National convention shall hold every four year.

Composition:

All members of the National Executive Committee.

Delegates elected by state Congress.

All elected officials (President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representative and Deputy Speaker) where not elected as delegates to National Convention will participate in Congress deliberation in a non delegate capacity.

D2 Functions of the National Convention

A To decide the nationwide policies and programme of the party.

To receive report and recommendations from the national executive committee and take decision on them.

To delegate any of this functions and power to the national executive committee or any other organ of the party.

To elect the national officers of the party and constitute the national executive committee.

To determine the presidential candidate of the party.

To exercise such other powers and functions as provided by the constitution.

D3 National Executive Committee (NEC)

The composition of the National Executive Committee National Auditor

Deputy National Auditor

National Legal Adviser

Deputy Legal Adviser

National Women Leader

Deputy National Women Leader

Youth Leader

Deputy Youth Leader

Six Ex Officio Members

D4 Functions of the National Executive Committee:

   The national Executive Committee, which meets monthly, shall   meet:

To monitor the overall administration and organization of the party.

To prepare the agenda, organize the national convention and when due and implements its decisions and directives.

To prepare and submit reports and recommendations for the consideration of he national convention.

To deal with problems referred to it by lower organs of he party

To make rules for party discipline and loyalty which shall be binding on all organs and members of the party.

To approve the annual budget of the party.

The NEC shall have power to decide on and convene special National Convention and Congresses.

To employ and determine the conditions of service of the National Officers of the party.

To monitor, guide and supervise the lower organs of the party.

To raise funds for the party.

D5 National Working Committee:

The National Working Committee shall comprise:           

All members of the National Executive Committee.

Leaders of Caucuses at national level.

Principal officers of the National Assembly from the party.

President and Vice President from the party.

Governors and Deputy Governors produced by the Party.

National Chairman

Deputy National Vice Chairpersons

Six (6) Vice Chairpersons

National Secretary

Deputy National Secretary

National Financial Secretary

Deputy National Financial Secretary

National Organizing Secretary

Deputy National Organizing Secretary

National Treasurer

Deputy National Treasurer

E. Special   National Convention/Congress:

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections Dl, Cl, Bl and Al, there shall be special National and state congresses to address specific issues concerning the party when the need arise.

F.   Functions and Powers of National officers:

1.   The National Chairperson:

(a) The National Chairperson shall give leadership to the party and preside over all meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, National Working committee.

(b) Shall approve all expenditures and shall be a signatory to the party's bank account(s)

National Deputy Chairpersons:

(a)The deputy Chairpersons shall assist and preside at meetings in the absence of the National Chairperson.

(b) They shall be assigned specific functions.

3.            National Vice Chairpersons:

            (a) They shall act in the absence of the deputy chairperson

            (b)They shall be assigned specific functions.

4. National Secretary:

(a)He/She shall be the principal administrative officer of the party and shall be in charge of the day to day running of the affairs of the party.

(b)He/she shall be a signatory to the party's bank and shall recommend major expenditure to the chairperson for approval.

5.   National Deputy Secretaries:

(a) They shall assist the national secretary.

(b) Any of them may be assigned by the NEC to act on his behalf.

(C) They shall be assigned specific functions.

6.   National Treasurer:

(A) He/she shall be responsible for the proper administration of the party's finances and shall be one of the signatories to the party's bank account.

(b) He/she shall ensure the preparation of annual reports on finances of the party including compilation of the party's asset and liabilities and make same available to INEC from time to time.

7.            National publicity Secretary:

(a) He/She shall be responsible for the publicity of the party and its activities.

(b) He/She shall be responsible for the production and publication of Party literatures, newspaper, etc.

8.            National Organizing Secretary:

(a) He/She shall be responsible for the effective organization of the party.

9.            National Legal Adviser:

(a) He/She shall be responsible for all legal matters of the party.

10. National Women Leader:

(a) She shall serve as the chief coordinator of women members of the party.

11. National Youth leader:

(a) He / She shall serve as the Chief Coordinator and mobiliser of the youths member of the party.

12.            Six (6) Ex Officio Members:

            (a) Ex Officio Members shall be expected to perform advisory roles in the Party.

13. Board of Trustees:

There shall be a Board of Trustees only at the National level of the party and it shall comprise of the following:

One member nominated by each state organ of the party and the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the party.

Former Governors elected on the platform of the party.

Former and current Presidents, Senate Presidents, Speakers of House of Representatives elected on the platform of the party.

Former and current National Chairmen of the party.

Selected statesmen and outstanding professionals of good repute nominated and approved by the NEC of the party.

Functions of the Board of Trustees:

The board of trustees shall perform the following functions:

Serve as an advisory organ of the party.

They shall be the custodian of the properties of the party.

They shall also serve as guardians of the party's values as well as the conscience of the party.

G.            Functions of Party Officers at the Ward, Local Government & State levels:

The functions of officers of the party at the Ward, LGA and State levels shall be derived from that of the national.

H.            Tenure of Office:

National officers of the party shall hold office for a period of four years and shall be eligible for re-election

All state officers for the party shall hold office for a period of three (3) years and shall be eligible for re-election.

All local government officers of the party shall hold office for a period of two years and shall be eligible for re-election

All ward officers of the party shall hold office for a period of one year and shall be eligible for re- election.

1 Party Discipline:

(A) All members, without exception, must abide by the Constitution of the NTP, the Standing Orders and Codes of Conduct, as adopted or amended from time to time, as well as all policies and decisions properly adopted or made in terms of the Constitution.

(b)            Every candidate representing the. NTP during an election at any level of government, must undertake, in writing, prior to the elections, to abide by the Constitution of the relevant Code of Conduct for elected representatives, and to submit to and abide by any disciplinary proceedings instituted against her or him in terms of the Constitution or such Code, directly or indirectly arising from his or her conduct as a public representative of the NTP           

(c)All members and public representatives of the NTP without exception, are subject to the discipline of the NTP and must submit to the provisions of this Constitution, the NTP Standing Orders and Codes of Conduct, with regard to the regulation of the conduct of members and public representatives, and the applicable disciplinary procedures.

(d)Disciplinary proceedings against a member and a public representative shall be confined to violations of the NTP Constitution, Rules and Regulations, Standing Orders, Codes of Conduct and the policies and decisions of the NTP adopted or made in terms of the Constitution, or the misconduct referred to or provided for in this constitution and shall not:

Be used as a means of stifling debate or denying members their basic democratic rights; or

Be instituted as a means of solving private problems or as a means of interfering in the private lives of members where the norms of the organization are not directly affected, unless such conduct itself constitutes a violation or an offence affecting the organization.

(e)If an organ of NTP as the case may be, or the relevant body exercising its right to invoke disciplinary proceedings under this Constitution, is satisfied that the institution of disciplinary procedure is warranted against a member or public representative in respect of any conduct referred to in this constitution or any other misconduct prohibited in terms of the Constitution, it may decide to institute disciplinary proceedings against such member in respect of such misconduct and then refer the matter to the National Convention, National Executive Committee, State Congress or State Executive with such disciplinary hearing.

(f) A disciplinary committee, which has conducted a disciplinary hearing in terms of this Constitution, may find any member or public representative guilty of any misconduct referred to in this constitution or any other misconduct prohibited in terms of the Constitution, only if it is satisfied that the evidence presented is of such a cogent and sufficient nature as to prove the guilt of such member or public representative on a balance of probabilities.

(g) The following conduct by a member or public representative shall constitute misconduct in respect of which disciplinary proceedings may be invoked and instituted against him or her:

If Convicted in a court of law and being sentenced to a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine, for any serious non-political offence;

Conviction in a court of law, for any serious non-political offence;

Behavior which brings the organization into disrepute or which manifests a flagrant violation of the moral integrity expected of members and public representatives or conduct unbecoming that of a member or public representative;

Sowing racism, sexism, tribal chauvinism, religious and political intolerance, regionalism or any form of discrimination;

Engaging in sexual or physical abuse of women or children or abuse of office to obtain sexual or any other undue advantage from members or others;

Abuse of elected or employed office in the party so as to obtain any direct or indirect undue advantage or enrichment;

Behaving corruptly in seeking or accepting any bribe for performing or not performing any task;

Misappropriation of the funds of the party or destruction of its properties;

Behaving in such a way as to provoke serious divisions or a break-down of unity in the party;

Undermining the respect for or impeding the functioning of the structures of the party;

Participating in organized factional activity that goes beyond the Committee, as the case may be, or any other body authorized in terms of the Constitution to conduct disciplinary proceedings, to proceed recognized norms of free debate inside the organization and threatens its unity;

Supporting a political organization or party other than an organization in alliance with the NTP in a manner contrary to the aims, objectives and policy of the NTP

Standing in an election for local, state or federal government or acts as the election agent or canvasser of a person standing for such election in opposition to a candidate duly endorsed by NTP organs

1.            Joining a political organization or party other than the NTP or a party in alliance with the NTP

2.            Prejudicing the integrity or repute of the party, its personnel or its operational capacity by:

i.     Impeding the activities of the party;

            ii.             Creating division within its ranks or membership;

            iii.             Doing any other act, which undermines its effectiveness as an organization; or

            iv.             Acting on behalf of or in collaboration with:

Anti-party forces;

A political organization or party-other than an organization or party in alliance with the NTP in a manner contrary to the aims, policies and objectives of the NTP

Intelligence or the security services of other countries; or

Any person or group who seriously interferes with the work of the party or prevents it from fulfilling its mission and objectives.

Fighting or behaving in a grossly disorderly or unruly way;

Deliberately disrupting meetings and interfering with the orderly functioning of the party;

Payment of, or assisting or facilitating the payment of, membership subscription of the party for a person or persons or a group of persons who would otherwise be unwilling or unable to pay their own subscriptions;

Offering a reduced rate membership to those known by the individual or group making the offer to be ineligible for that category of membership.

Recruitment of members who do not reside at an address claimed, where this is done in order to manipulate branch meetings or the outcome of organizational votes; or

Giving, collecting or raising of funds for campaigning activities within   the NTP aimed at influencing the outcome of a conference or meeting.

(a) The NEC shall appoint a National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), from among its membership and from other structures of the NTP, which will consist of at least 5 but not more than 9 members. At least three members of the NDC shall constitute its quorum. The national officers, the State Executive Councilor tile NEC may refer any violation or misconduct directly to the National Convention for determination of a compliant.

In addition, the NEC shall appoint the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA), from among its membership and from other structures of the NTP which will consist of at least 3, but not more than 5 members,

Provided that its members may not serve in the NDCA. At least three members of the NDCA shall constitute its quorum. The NDCA shall hear cases of appeal where the NDC heard the case as a structure of first instance.

The decisions of the NDCA shall be final, except that the NEC may, in its discretion, review a decision. Such a review shall be regulated by standing orders adopted by the INEC.

Each Ward Executive Committee shall appoint a Ward Disciplinary Committee (WDC). Each Local Government Area Executive Council shall appoint LGA Disciplinary Committee (LGADC). Each State Executive Committee shall appoint a State Disciplinary Committee (SDC). These respective Disciplinary Committees must be appointed as soon as possible after the election of the respective executive committees and will consist of at least 3 but not more than 5 members. At least three members of a disciplinary committee shall constitute its quorum.

(c)             Disciplinary proceedings will normally be conducted at the level where the alleged violation or misconduct took place, namely the branch, region, province or national level, and may be heard by the relevant structure.

(d)             Disciplinary proceedings may only be instituted at Ward level if the relevant SEC has granted that ward written permission to do so.

(e)             The NEC may direct that the disciplinary proceedings should be heard at a higher level than where the alleged violation or misconduct took place.

As soon as possible, after the election of the respective executive committees at any level of the party, the:

(i) NEC shall appoint a Chief National Presenter, to be assisted by no more than 3 other suitably competent members, to represent and present the case of the NTP in any NDC and NDCA hearing;

(ii) SEC shall appoint a Chief Provincial Presenter, to be assisted by no more than 3 other suitably competent members, to represent and present the case of the NTP in any SDC hearing;

(iii) LGA Executive Committee shall appoint a Chief LGA Presenter, to be assisted by no more than 5 other suitably competent members, to represent and present the case of the NTP in any LGADC hearing or any WDC hearing within its jurisdiction.            

(f) No member of a disciplinary committee may participate in a decision to institute disciplinary proceedings against a member and such member of the disciplinary committee should excuse himself or herself from such discussion and decision, save in the exceptional circumstances contained in the provisions of this constitution. However, this does not prohibit such member from participating in any political discussion on any issue, which later becomes the subject of a discussion and decision to institute disciplinary proceedings against such a member.

(g) Any person faced with disciplinary proceeding shall receive due written notice of any hearing and of the basic allegations and charges against him or her and be afforded a reasonable opportunity to make his or her defense

(h) Any person faced with disciplinary proceeding is entitled to be represented by a member in good standing and who is paid up member for at least three months prior to the receipt of such written notice referred to above (I)   If disciplinary proceedings are instituted against a member and such member does not appear at the venue and at the time determined for such proceedings or does not remain in attendance when required to do so, the relevant disciplinary committee, if satisfied that such member was properly and timely notified of such venue and time, may order that the proceedings continue in the absence of such member. The disciplinary committee may form an opinion of the evidence led, and it may proceed and make a finding of guilty or not guilty, as the case may be, even if such member was absent from part or the whole of the proceedings.

(J) Penalties or sanctions, which may be imposed by a disciplinary committee, for proven violations of the Constitution, other relevant instruments, principles, norms, policies and decisions of the NTP will include reprimand, payment of compensation and/or the performance of useful tasks, remedial action, and suspension of membership or expulsion from the NTP and in the case Of a public representative also the removal from any list or instrument which entitles such a person to represent the NTP at any level of government.

(k)            A disciplinary committee may suspend the imposition of any of the above penalties or sanctions, with or without certain conditions for a period to be determined by such disciplinary committee.

(I)            Any member found guilty of the misconduct referred to in the provisions of this constitution, shall be ineligible to be or remain a member, and shall be expelled from the party.

(m) A decision of a disciplinary committee only takes effect once the internal appeal procedures and remedies provided for in terms of Rule 25 have been exhausted. Any person found guilty during a disciplinary proceeding, or the complainant, has the right, within 14 days from the date of sentencing, to appeal against the conviction or sentence, to the disciplinary committee or the next highest body of the NTP. A member is only entitled to one appeal to such next highest disciplinary body, whose decision shall, subject to provisions of this constitution, be final and binding, provided that the NDCA may, upon application to it and if it deems it necessary, grant a further appeal to be heard by itself. The NEC may

Exceptional circumstances, as determined by the NEC or National Disciplinary Committee or SEC, as the case may be, may warrant an immediate decision of temporary suspension of a member without eliciting the comment of such member, as provided for in this Constitution.

The member or public representative shall immediately be informed of such suspension.

In the case of the suspension of an elected public representative, the relevant structure making the decision must also provide for any terms and conditions, which will regulate his or her participation and conduct as a public representative during the period of suspension.

The member or public representative shall immediately be informed of such terms and conditions.

When a SEC or SDC imposes a temporary suspension on a member or a public representative, it must immediately forward a report of such suspension and the reasons for it, to the NDCA and the NDCA may, if circumstances warrant it, at any stage set aside such suspension.

The temporary suspension shall lapse if a notice of a charge relating to such suspension is not delivered to the member within 30 days of the date of the commencement of the temporary suspension.

Such disciplinary proceedings shall be attended to as quickly as possible and completed within a reasonable period. The temporary suspension shall, subject to provisions of this Constitution, remain in force until the finalization of the disciplinary proceedings, including any appeals, provided that the NDCA may, upon application and if the circumstances so warrant, at any stage set aside such suspension.

The temporary suspension may at any stage be set aside by the structure, which imposed it, if it deems it necessary, grant a further appeal to be heard by itself. The NEC may direct that a body higher than the one to which the appeal has been made should hear any appeal. An appeal against the decision of a ward disciplinary committee should be heard directly by the State Disciplinary Committee.

(N) Where a disciplinary committee arrives at a decision to suspend or expel a local government councilor or a member of a State or Federal legislature, such a decision shall be suspended pending the outcome of an automatic appeal to the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal. The National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal must commence with such an appeal within 14 days of the notification of the decision of such disciplinary committee.

(0) All disciplinary proceedings shall be disposed of expeditiously, but within 6 months from the date that notice of the charge has been delivered to the member, provided that the NDCA may, upon application from the relevant disciplinary committee, in writing, at any stage before or after the expiry of such period extend this period in a particular case, if it deems it necessary.

The relevant Disciplinary Committee shall in writing report the outcome of each disciplinary proceeding to the secretary of the executive structure which established it and then the decision shall be publicly announced by the relevant Disciplinary Committee.

.The State Disciplinary Committee or the SEC with regard to disciplinary matters not being dealt with at a national level, and the National Disciplinary Committee or the NEC, may summarily suspend the membership of any member, by acting in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this Constitution.

Before any of the above structures make such a decision, it must have due regard to the nature and seriousness of an alleged violation or misconduct by a member and/or public representative only after the accusations have been put to him or her for comment by the person or body tasked with such duty by the relevant structure, and he or she has had an opportunity to respond, provided that if such member has been given proper and timely notice of such opportunity and does not avail himself or herself of such opportunity, and/or does not attend or does not stay in attendance, the matter may be proceeded with in his or her absence.

Exceptional circumstances, as determined by the NEC or National Disciplinary Committee or SEC, as the case may be, may warrant an immediate decision of temporary suspension of a member without eliciting the comment of such member, as provided for in this Constitution.

The member or public representative shall immediately be informed of such suspension.

In the case of the suspension of an elected public representative, the relevant structure making the decision must also provide for any terms and conditions, which will regulate his or her participation and conduct as a public representative during the period of suspension.

The member or public representative shall immediately be informed of such terms and conditions.

When a SEC or SDC imposes a temporary suspension on a member or a public representative, it must immediately forward a report of such suspension and the reasons for it, to the NDCA and the NDCA may, if circumstances warrant it, at any stage set aside such suspension.

The temporary suspension shall lapse if a notice of a charge relating to such suspension is not delivered to the member within 30 days of the date of the commencement of the temporary suspension.

Such disciplinary proceedings shall be attended to as quickly as possible and completed within a reasonable period. The temporary suspension shall, subject to provisions of this Constitution, remain in force until the finalization of the disciplinary proceedings, including any appeals, provided that the NDCA may, upon application and if the circumstances so warrant, at any stage set aside such suspension.

The temporary suspension may at any stage be set aside by the structure, which imposed it, if it deems it necessary.