APC Governors Reject Direct Primary Option in 2023

There are indications that governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are dissatisfied with the National Assembly’s resolution on the direct option as a mode of primaries for political parties to select their candidates for general elections.

At the end of their meeting on Monday night, the APC governors operating under the aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) rejected the National Assembly resolution.

They also hinted at meeting with the leadership of both chambers of Parliament to persuade them to review the resolution before submitting the Electoral Act 2010 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2021 to President Muhammadu Buhari for presidential assent.

The Conference Committee on the Electoral Act of 2010 has yet to submit its report to the National Assembly leadership.

Last month, the Senate joined its counterpart in the House of Representatives in enacting Section 87 on mandatory direct primaries for all parties.

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“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,” states Section 87(1) of the bill.

According to Nigerian Tribune investigations, the APC 2014 Constitution (as amended) provides for direct, indirect, and consensus options for the emergence of party candidates for general elections.
Further investigation revealed that, unlike direct primaries, which involve the participation of all party members in the selection of party candidates, indirect primaries involve the use of delegates, who are typically leaders and members of the executive at the ward, local government, and state levels, to elect the party’s candidate(s) at a congress or convention.

Kebbi State Governor and Chairman of the PGF, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, told reporters last night at the end of the meeting held at Kebbi State Governors Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, that the governors expressed strong reservations about the National Assembly resolution on direct primaries.

While he maintained that political parties should be allowed to choose the best option for them, Governor Bagudu also stated that the resolution violated the spirit of President Buhari’s Executive Order, which forbids large gatherings in the aftermath of the global pandemic, Coronavirus.

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He also argued that direct primaries were too cumbersome and unwieldy, and that they would overstretch the limited resources of the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is statutory mandated to oversee political party primaries.

“We discussed the pros and cons,” he said. There has been some concern that political parties are entirely volunteer organizations. We express our concern that political parties be allowed to select the options they desire. Mr. President has signed an Executive Order prohibiting large gatherings. These are the issues we’re debating, and we’re hoping for the best for Nigeria.

“We also noticed that our ward conventions were the result of direct primaries.” INEC plays several roles in the process. INEC’s resources will be stretched if we have to involve them.”

The Kebbi State Governor revealed that the governors appraised and adjudged the recently held State Congresses by the Governor Mai Mala Buni led APC Careraker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee as satisfactory.