CONSTITUTION OF SINCERE DEMOCRATS

SINCERE DEMOCRATS

CONSTITUTION
Contents
THE CONSTITUTION OF SINCERE DEMOCRATS ................................................................................... 2
PART 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS ........................................................................................................... 3
PART 2: NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION ................................................................................................. 4
PART 3: MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION .................................................................................... 5
PART 4: THE EXECUTIVE ...................................................................................................................... 6
11. The Executives of this Association shall consist of the following elected offices; .................. 6
a. The Secretary General,............................................................................................................... 6
b. The Assistant Secretary General, ............................................................................................. 6
c. The Public Relations Officer. ...................................................................................................... 6
d. The Treasurer ............................................................................................................................... 6
e. The Public Relations Officer....................................................................................................... 6
PART 5: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVES .................................................................................................. 7
PART 6: RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS ..................................................................................... 10
16. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS ..................................................................................... 10
PART 7: MEETINGS/CONVENTIONS .................................................................................................. 11
PART 8: ELECTION: ............................................................................................................................ 13
PART 9: GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE MEMBERS ............................................................. 15
PART 10: FINANCE ............................................................................................................................. 16
PART 11: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS........................................................................................... 17
PART 12: AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION ..................................................................................... 18
PART 13: COMMENCEMENT: ............................................................................................................ 19
PART 14: CITATION............................................................................................................................ 20
 THE CONSTITUTION OF SINCERE DEMOCRATS

PREAMBLE

We the members of SINCERE DEMOCRATS, solemnly resolved to pursue the ideal of good
governance and reunite innovative youths towards repositioning governance, being conscious
of our civil rights, duties and obligations, and being determined to revive and elevate the value
of democracy, hereby enact and give ourselves the following Constitution
 PART 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This Constitution shall be Supreme and it's provisions shall have a binding force on all
members of SINCERE DEMOCRATS.

2. All acts of person (s) or authority established and regulated by this Constitution shall be in
consonance with the provisions of this Constitution unless otherwise stated.
 PART 2: NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION

3. The name of this group shall be known as and called SINCERE DEMOCRATS

4. The motto of this group shall be "HUNGER FOR A BETTER TOMORROW"

5. The Slogan of this Association shall be:

"SINCERE DEMOCRATS, REPOSITIONING GOVERNANCE"

6. The aims and objectives of this Association shall be:

A. To enlighten and groom the Youth in the right path to Politics and Leadership and

to enlighten the youths to refuse being tools for electoral malpractices.

B. To form a strong voice (Template) in the state for the Youth sensitization and massive
voting against bad governance in the state.

C. To create a political sphere devoid of party via which, the entire Imo Youth can achieve
their sole aim as a watchdog to Governments' policie as they affect the Youth thereby
contributing meaningfully to the Youth's development and the state in General.

D. To revive the value of democracy, that the masses have d sole right of airing their views
without any fear.

E. To bring in new development ideas that will push the economy /state forward.

F. To provide a broad base platform for cross fertilization of ideas, formulation of policies and
programmes capable of launching the youth into critical partnership of governance.

G. To reunite innovative youths towards repositioning governance.

 PART 3: MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION

7. Membership of the Association shall be automatic to all persons who are citizens of
Imo state and Nigeria by birth or marriage or naturalisation, and such person shall be
of good character and repute.
a. Every person so admitted in the Association as a Sincere Democrat is expected to
have a voters card.
8. The affairs and welfare of all members of the Association as it relates to issues and
activities of the Association shall be in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution.
9. Every member of the Association shall have his name and details written in the
Association Register which will be under the custody of the Secretary
General of the Association.

10. Everybody who is a member of the Association shall have a hard copy of this
Constitution subject to the decision of the Executive.
 PART 4: THE EXECUTIVE

11. The Executives of this Association shall consist of the following elected offices;
a. The Secretary General,
b. The Assistant Secretary General,
c. The Public Relations Officer.
d. The Treasurer
e. The Public Relations Officer.
 PART 5: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVES

12. THE SECRETARY GENERAL

a. In line with the provisions of this Constitution, there shall be for the Association an office of
the Secretary General who shall be elected for a period of two years subject to the decision of
the committee members in general meeting.

b. The Secretary General shall be the Executive head of the Association.

c. The Secretary General of the Association shall through the Assistant Secretary General
convene all meetings of the Association and Executive meetings of the Association.

d. The Secretary General of the Association shall preside over all the Association and
Executive meetings of the Association.

e. The Secretary General of the Association shall be at the head of representation in external
matters unless he decides to delegate his power.

F. The Secretary General of the Association shall at all times uphold and protect the provisions
of this Constitution.

13. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL

a. There shall be for the Association an office of Assistant Secretary General who shall be
elected in line with this Constitution.

b. The Assistant Secretary General shall assist the Secretary General in performing such
functions of his office.

c. The Assistant Secretary General shall be responsible for the Association's Secretariat.

d. The Assistant Secretary General shall handle all correspondence and keep record if any as
relates to the Association.

e. The Assistant Secretary General shall keep all minutes of meetings.

f. He shall ensure that the attendance Register is updated at any meeting or official functions
of the Association.
g. He shall produce circular and notices for meetings and other functions of the Association
and ensure that they are properly circulated by the Public Relations Officer.

h. The Assistant Secretary General shall act in the capacity of the Secretary General on the
latter's absence.

i. The Assistant Secretary General shall have the power to appoint Ad-Hoc committee for
special duties.

j. All such Committees constituted in accordance with the provision of this Constitution shall
be supervised by the Assistant Secretary General.

k. All appointment made under this Constitution shall be subject to the confirmation of majority
committee members.

l. The Assistant Secretary General shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him
by the Secretary General.

14. THE TREASURER

a. There shall be for the Association an office of the Treasurer who shall be elected in line with
this Constitution.

b. The Treasurer shall;

i. Record all monies accruing to the Association and keep an updated financial report book for
all monetary transactions.

ii. Receive all incoming monies on behalf of the As and pay same within 48hours of receipt
into the Association's bank account, unless there is a reason for otherwise which shall not be
unreasonable and permitted by the Secretary General.

c. He shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the
Secretary General or other members of the Executive in line with his office.
15. THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

a. There shall be for the Association an office of the Public Relations Officer who shall be
elected in line with the provisions of this Constitution.

b. The P.R.O shall be responsible for all matters in respect of public relations of the
Association.

c. He shall issue release as may be directed by the Secretary General.

d. He shall ensure that notices for meetings are distributed as well as placement of
announcements for meetings as may be directed by the Assistant Secretary General.

e. He shall promote and protect the correct and progressive image of the Association at all
times.

f. He shall perform any other duties assigned to him by the Secretary General or the Executive
in the interest of the Association in line with his office.

16. Without prejudice to the offices and functions of the Executives, committees may be
formed to handle any given task or issue as the case may arise; and such Committee shall
become dissolved at the end of such task or issue.
 PART 6: RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
16. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Subject to the provisions of Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
(as amended),

a. Every member of the Association shall have a right to freedom of expression without fear
of molestation, reprisal or hindrances of any form.
b. Every member of the Association shall have the right to freedom from discrimination
and shall not be prejudiced by reason of state of origin, ethnic background, religious
belief, class or professional standing.
c. Every member of the Association shall have a right of access to information regarding
the activities of the Association.
d. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every member shall have the right to vote
and be voted for in every election of the Association.
e. Every member has a duty to promote the aims and objective of this Association.
 PART 7: MEETINGS/CONVENTIONS

17. MEETINGS/CONVENTIONS

a. In line with achieving the aims and objectives of the Association, and subject to the
overriding decision of the Executive, the Association shall hold its general meetings at least
seven times in every year.

b. The quorum for the meeting shall be at least Twenty (20) members present or as may be
determined by the Secretary General.

c. Any member of the Association, unless with the permission of the Secretary General, shall
communicate to the Association his absent or absence in the meeting, however the resolution
of the meeting binds him.

d. Any member of the Association who is late to any of the Association's meeting with at-least
30 minutes shall be liable to a fine of N500.

e. Every member of the Association who is present at the Associations meetings shall be
decently dressed and addressed and shall coordinate himself in an orderly manner, failure of
which shall attract a fine of ₦1000.

f. Any form of fighting, abuses, disorder, action or omission by any member which in any way
will amount to the breach of the peace of the Association at any time especially during the
Associations general meetings is highly prohibited.

g. Defaulter of any section of this Constitution shall be duly punished.

h. The Executive may as the need arises call for a meeting of the Association members outside
the stipulated periods for general meetings.

i. The Executive Council of the Association may where the need arises meet on its own volition
to address issues concerning the Association on or before any General Meeting of the
Association.

j. The venue for every Association meetings shall be based on rotation as may be agreed in
the General Meeting.
k. The minimum expectation for entertainment at any meeting shall be soft drink and snacks;
except at the end of every meeting; No alcohol, cigarettes, narcotics and other related
substances shall be shared or taken by members during general meetings.

l. No member of the Association is allowed to take to the public domain any confidential issue
about the Association.

Confidential issues herein shall include issues as the Association may declare confidential or
and other issues that may ordinarily not be confidential but which the Association have agreed
to be reserved exclusively for the members.

j. Where in any case a misunderstanding arises between members of the Association, the
Association shall of first instance be notified of such misunderstanding of which the Secretary
General and his Executives shall attend to such grievances with the needed urgency.
 PART 8: ELECTION:
18. ELECTION:

a. No person shall be qualified to contest or be elected into any of the offices created by this
Constitution unless he is an up-to-date financial member of the Association, has been regular
to meetings and is of unquestionable character.

b. For the sake of elections under this Constitution, there shall be an Electoral Commission
known as SINCERE DEMOCRATS Electoral Commission, hereinafter referred to as SDEC.

c. Members of the Electoral Commission shall be appointed by the Secretary General on the
recommendation of the Executive, subject to the confirmation of majority of the members of
the Association.

d. The SDEC shall comprise of a Returning Officer, a Secretary and a member who shall hold
office for a period not exceeding two (2). Months subject to the decision of members.

e. The process of standing in for election under this Constitution shall commence with a person
eligible for election indicating interest supported by at least 2 others.

f. The election into the positions of the Executive shall be done once in every 2 years and
this shall be in the month of December, January or such other month as may be
decided by the members.

g. No person elected in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution shall hold an office
more than two tenures.

h. In the case of any resignation, impeachment or incapacity to function, Election into the
vacant position shall be conducted within one month of such vacancy.

i. Resignation from any Executive office shall be done in writing to the members of the
Association addressed to the office of the Secretary General.

j. Impeachment from the Executive shall be done where a member of the Executive is involved
in any act of gross misconduct against the duties of his office or gross misconduct reported to
the Association and at-least a two-third majority of the members agreed to that effect.

(i)Subject to the above sub-section gross misconduct shall mean but not limited to where a
person is involved in any of the offences as provided under the Nigeria Law or any other like
acts or social vices.
(ii) All properties of the Association in the possession of such resigned, impeached or
incapacitated Executive by reason of being such an Executive shall be submitted to the other
executives within Seven (7) days of such resignation, impeachment or incapacitation.
 PART 9: GENERAL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE
MEMBERS

1. The code of conduct as is expected of every member of the Association shall be so expected
in the following categories:

(i). During Association gatherings e.g meetings, etc where the Association is in any of its
gathering it is expected that:

a. No member will address the house unless he is appointed by the Secretary General or
whoever is presiding over the meeting or persons appointed on that behalf.

b. Not more than one member will stand to address the house at any given time.

c. No form of verbal or physical attack will be condoned during such meeting but every issue
or opinion shall be ideally stated.

d. No cell phone will ring or calls be made by any member.

e. No form of distractions shall be condoned and no member is allowed to walk away from the
house except if duly permitted.

f. The house shall be addressed properly and the members respond accordingly before a
member can so address the house.

g. No member of the Association is allowed at any given time to indulge in any act or omission
capable of undermining the image and aims of the Association.

h. Generally it is expected that every member that sees another member of the Association
should address and treat him accordingly.

Respect for each other shall be of essence and observed by every member of the Association.
 PART 10: FINANCE

20. FINANCE:

a. The Association shall have an official bank account that shall serve for all the Association
financial transactions.

b. The Association will operate one account at any given time.

c. The said account shall be one for which the Secretary General and the Treasurer are
signatories.

d. Where there is need for change of signatures to the account, the Association shall duly be
notified and reason(s) for such made known.

e. All monies accruing to the Association whether levies, dues or fines shall be appropriately
remitted to this account.

f. Every member of the Association shall pay annual dues as shall be fixed by the Executives
and approved by the majority members in General meeting present and voting. Nothing under
this subsection shall affect the upward review of the Annual Due.

g. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Association may as the need arises impose
a levy on members of the Association subject to the approval of two-third majority of a properly
constituted general meeting.

h. The Executives shall at the end of her tenure in office give an account to the general house
before a formal handover to the incoming Executives.

For the sake of this sub section an open account shall mean material account, human account,
logistic account, administrative account and financial account.
 PART 11: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

21. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

a. There shall be a WhatsApp and Facebook platform for the Association.

b. The WhatsApp and Facebook platform shall be open to all members who so desires to be
part thereof.

c. The WhatsApp and Facebook platform shall be used to disseminate information that are
useful to the Association.

d. Such information shall be such that will promote the aims and objectives of the the
Association.

e. No person is allowed to post unfounded, unwarranted or baseless messages to the group.

f. Any defaulter of this section shall be suspended from the platform for a period not exceeding
7 days subject to the decision of the members in the platform.
 PART 12: AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION

22. AMENDEMENT:

a. The amendment of this Constitution shall commence with a motion to that effect written
and submitted to the Secretary General, signed by a member and counter –signed by at least
ten(3) other members stating the aspect or part of the Constitution wished to be amended and
properly spelling out the reasons for submitting such motion.

b. This motion shall be published to the members of the Association within 48hours of its
submission after which a meeting to that effect shall be held within the most reasonable time
and such motion deliberated upon.

c. Any motion to be adopted after such deliberation as in subsection 2 shall be supported by

at least two-third majority of members present in a formally organized meeting and by voting.

d. Any motion so adopted shall thereafter form part of this Constitution and applies as any
other part of this Constitution.
 PART 13: COMMENCEMENT:

23. COMMENCEMENT:

a. The provision of this Constitution shall be deemed to have come into force on the 14th Day
of January 2017.
 PART 14: CITATION

24. CITATION:

a. This Constitution shall be cited as CONSTITUTION OF SINCERE DEMOCRATS OF

NIGERIA.

CONSTITUTIONAL DRAFTING COMMITTEE 2017/2018:

Engr Anusi Modestus Chairman.
Engr Uwakwe Alternate chairman.
Eberechukwu Nwaigbo (Esq) Secretary
Onyekachi Ochieze (Esq) Member.
Anyanwu Obinna Member.
Okereke Godson Member.