Gbaja says direct primaries work for the interest of all party members and the electorate
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Two influential voices in the National Assembly (NASS) have explained and reiterated their support for direct party primaries in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, against the wishes of governors who want to wield power in their parties.
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said he insisted on direct primaries system because it ensures accountability and better representation.
Indirect primaries restrict choice to pleasing a group of people selected as delegates to choose election candidates, he explained, whereas direct primaries work for the interest of all party members and the electorate.
Senate Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Committee Chairman Kabiru Gaya added that direct primaries is the best way to deepen democracy as it eliminates god-fatherism and enables voters to choose leaders without manipulation.
However, governors in both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Alliance (APC) oppose direct primaries, mainly because it reduces their influence in the choice of election candidates.
A tripartite meeting of APC grandees chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and comprising APC executives and NASS members conveyed at the Villa in Abuja on Tuesday to resolve their differences ended in a deadlock.
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The Tripartite Committee was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve disagreements in the APC but it failed to agree on direct primaries as the committee could not convince lawmakers on the need for alternatives.
APC lawmakers stood their ground that direct primaries is the best way to entrench democracy, arguing that it eliminates cabals and works for voters.
Later on Tuesday, both the Senate and the House passed the harmonised Electoral Act Amendment Bill after each Chamber deliberated on the report of the Conference Committee which reconciled disparities in the version passed in September.
Gbaja’s pitch for youth participation in electoral process
Gbajabiamila explained that many Nigerians, especially the youth, desire to participate fully in the election of their representatives, right from the grassroots level, hence his resolve to champion direct primaries, per Vanguard.
He spoke when he hosted a delegation of youths, led by Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare, who visited his office to thank him for backing direct primaries.
Some in the political elite may not be comfortable with direct primaries, Gbajabiamila said, but the majority of the masses support it because it gives them the opportunity to decide who represents them.
His words: “If I know that my return [re-election] will depend on some few men, I may not care about you. But if I know that my return will depend on my accountability and representation to the people, I will do the right thing.
“It is important for this generation to open the door of leadership to the next generation. We must allow every Nigerian to participate fully in the process of leadership. I, therefore, stand with direct primaries.
“That’s why I said at different fora that I’m for direct primaries. We have to do this for the sake of the institution.
“When you gather yourselves (as youths), chances are that you’ll win. Democracy is a government of the people. Democracy is not just a general election. It starts from the primaries.”
He urged youths to “take advantage of the new amendment … power is not served a la carte; I’ll ask that you carry that advocacy out there because it’s for you.”
Gbajabiamila stressed that youths are part of the reasons why lawmakers exist, as “the youth are the greatest asset of any nation, not just in Nigeria.”
He noted that Nigerian youths thrive in different spheres of life but do not show much interest in politics.
“Since the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ became law, you’ve not taken advantage of that. The Act appears to be a paper tiger. The enabling environment to work for that Act isn’t capitalised on.”
He said the Muhammadu Buhari administration provides adequate funding for the youth to show that it recognises that they are the future of Nigeria.
Youths can’t be ignored, says Dare
Dare told Gbajabiamila: “Between 65 per cent and 70 per cent of our population are less than 25 years. So, we can’t ignore the youth. I want to plead on behalf of the Nigerian youth that you continue to support youth development.
“You should also expand the frontiers of youth inclusivity. When the president signed the Not Too Young to Run Bill, it paved the way for many youths.
“Another door was opened two nights ago. The kudos go to you and the National Assembly. We support you for direct primaries. It will open the door for Nigerian youths. They will stand in a position to have more say in the political space.
“As a journalist, and it has been recorded, I know that you moved the amendment of the Electoral Act that has led us to where we are (on direct primaries).
“I want to urge you to continue to work for the people and champion for the people. I urge you not to relent.”
Direct primaries kick out god-fatherism, says Gaya
Gaya commended the INEC for supporting direct primaries as the best way to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
He denied any running battle with governors over the bill, saying direct primaries is in the interest of all Nigerians. He expressed optimism that Buhari, who he said believes in giving power to the people, will sign the bill into law, per The Nation.
“The essence of amendment of any Act is to improve the Act. The amendment was made to address some of the challenges usually associated with our elections.
“In fact, the direct primary is essentially meant to give power to the grassroots, a thing the president prefers, being a democrat, who believes that the power should be with the people,” Gaya said.
Governors up in arms against direct primaries
PDP governors criticise direct primaries as the only way to choose a candidate as a conspiracy by APC lawmakers to impose their views on others.
APC governors are also not comfortable with direct primaries. They met in Abuja on Monday under the banner of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) where they rejected the resolution of the NASS.
Section 87(1) of the bill reads: “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission [INEC].”
But the APC 2014 constitution makes provision for direct, indirect, and consensus options to choose candidates.
A direct primary involves the participation of all party members in the selection of candidates. An indirect primary uses delegates – usually leaders and party executives from ward, council, to state levels – to select candidates at a congress or convention.
The Nation reports that Kebbi State Governor and PGF Chairman, Atiku Bagudu, expressed strong reservations about direct primaries after the meeting in Abuja.
Bagudu said political parties should be allowed to pick the option best suited for them. He argued that holding direct primaries contradicts Buhari’s executive order against large gatherings to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
He also insisted that direct primaries is too cumbersome, unwieldy, and would overstretch the limited resources of the INEC.