The ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) has reinstated its commitment to adopt Direct primaries in all elective positions including Presidency.
In the statement yesterday, the ruling party dismissed conflicting reports on the adoption of both direct and indirect primaries stating that such claims are misleading interpretations and inference.
In a statement by its acting national publicity secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, the party declared:
“As an update to the earlier released statement, we wish to make the following clarifications on NEC’s resolutions on Mode of Primary Election:
- Primary elections into all elective offices shall be by Direct Primaries.
- NEC resolved to adopt Direct Primaries for the nomination of the Presidential candidate and all other Primaries.
- The Party’s constitution though provides for Indirect Election and Consensus, however, the use of Indirect Primaries is conditional and dependent on logistic impediments; peculiarities and need of a given State that makes it unable to use Direct Primaries.
- The State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with aspirants and other critical stakeholders of the Party in a given State forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC), if Indirect Primaries is to be adopted. The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections.
- The request for Indirect Primaries must be signed by majority of the State Executive Committee and critical stakeholders in attendance at the meeting where such resolution is reached.
Justifying its action, the party stated that its intention is to create a level playing field for all contestants and deepen democracy.
“Direct Primaries will among others ensure fairness; create a level playing ground for contestants; eliminate corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full participation of party members at all levels”.
