As controversies, media reactions and criticisms continue to trail the newly proposed direct primary election by the APC, the ruling party's national chairman, has revealed why it opted for it.
Adams Oshiomhole
While speaking exclusively to The Nation on Monday, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed that the ruling party adopted the direct primary for the selection of its candidates for next year’ elections to boost internal democracy.
The former Edo state governor disclosed that the party decided to “liberalise” its shadow polls by making all registered members automatic delegates, adding that the option will reduce the corruption and manipulation associated with the delegates system, which always generates huge post-primary crises.
Oshiomhole, however, acknowledged the challenges associated with the direct system, including logistic and security problems, saying they are surmountable.
While defending the direct system, he said: “Party members are complaining that they have no role to play in the party, except voting during the general elections, like other members of the public.
“We also note that direct primary is free from the vices associated with the indirect primary. Direct primary cannot be manipulated. It is not prone to corruption.
“We want to grow democracy. We want the party members to have ownership of the party. We want to give our members a sense of belonging.”
According to the chieftain, those opposing the direct primary are mainly governors who were the major beneficiaries of the delegates system, which they maximally exploited to personal advantage.
He noted that while governors are against the system, federal lawmakers are rooting for it.
He said: “The governors who have commissioners, special advisers, SSAs, and local government chairmen are still afraid of direct primary. But, senators are rooting for it. Some senators are not in the good book of their governors. But, they can win at the direct primary if they are in the good book of their people in the party.”
However, the chairman said while direct primary will be used for the presidential nomination, it can still be reviewed for other layers of shadow elections at the state and federal levels, in consideration of the peculiarities of the state chapters.