Direct/Indircet Primaries: The Way Forward – Hon. Shina Peller Writes

Honourable Shina Abiola Peller is a Nigerian entrepreneur, politician, Industrialist, and a Member of the 9th National Assembly representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Iwajowa Federal constituency. In this article the respected lawmaker writes about the pros and cons of the Direct and Indirect primaries, possible solutions and the way forward.

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1. Both system of Primaries has its merits and demerits.
2. Direct Primaries gives power directly to the people as all card carrying members of political parties are involved.
3. Direct Primaries also promotes cohesion within the party as more people are involved in decision making.
4. Direct Primaries may however be expensive and cumbersome for INEC to execute. This is one of the reasons given by President Muhammadu Buhari in his letter to both Chambers of the National Assembly.
5. It may also lead to chaos considering the number of people involved.
6. Indirect Primaries on the other hand, will be less cumbersome and cheaper for INEC. It will also reduce the burden of logistics and planning on the part of the electoral body.
7. Indirect Primaries may however be seen to give too much powers to the State Governors which is main reason the NASS members and other political stakeholders are agitating for direct Primaries which will of course strengthen our internal democracy.
8. It may also be more expensive for individual aspirants in political parties.
9. Indirect Primaries may seem more convenient as it has been the system in practice by political parties.

PRESENT STATUTORY DELEGATES FOR PRIMARIES FROM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS.

1. Serving NASS members.
2. Former Principal Officers of NASS
3. Serving House of Assembly members.
4. Former and present Leader of the Local Government Legislative Council.
5. Local Government Party Executives.
6. Five Ward party Executives namely; Chairman, Vice Chairman, Women Leader, Youth Leader and Secretary.
7. Three Adhoc delegates.

PRESENT STATUTORY DELEGATES FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES.

1. Former Principal members of NASS.
2. Serving members of NASS.
3. Serving members of the State House of Assemblies.
4. Elected Executive Chairmen of Local Government Councils.
5. Governors and Deputy Governors.
6. Party Governorship flagbearers.
7. Adhoc delegates, 2 per Local Government.

THE PROPOSED WAY FORWARD.

1. Direct Primaries cannot be discountenanced, despite its cost implications, it is doable. However, if not totally implementable at the moment we could come up with something that works before the next general election.
2. As a nation we tend to disregard, disband or scrap any idea, or structure once it has disadvantages without thinking of modifications. A situation of throwing away the baby with the water bath.
3. We must look at the direct and indirect primaries and the concensus critically – merge the advantages and make a decision that is suitable putting into consideration their peculiarities before heading to the polls.
4. The year 2023 should mark a new beginning for Nigerians as a nation and the POLITICIANS should be the first to sacrifice for the country by putting the interest of the people and Peace of the nation first.
5. On this note, I propose that the Statutory delegates above can be increased to accommodate more participants to give them a sense of inclusion in the party’s democratic process.
6. This allows for minimal cross carpeting/ decamping of party members to other political party. It gives majority of the party stakeholders and members the chance to be heard. It goes as far as diluting the powers of state Governors on delegates.

PROPOSED STATUTORY DELEGATES FOR PRIMARIES FROM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS.

1. Serving members of the Executive.
2. Former members of the Executive.
3. Serving members of the National Assembly.
4. Former members of the National Assembly.
5. Serving House of Assembly members.
6. Former House of Assembly members.
7. Present members of the Local Government Legislative Council.
8. Former members of the Local Government Legislative Council.
9. Local Government Party Executives.
10. Five ward Executives namely; Chairman, Vice Chairman, Women Leader, Youth Leader and Secretary.
11. Three adhoc delegates.

PROPOSED DELEGATES FOR PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES.

1. Serving members of the Executive.
2. Former members of the Executives.
3. Serving members of the National Assembly.
4. Former members of the National Assembly.
5. Serving House of Assembly members.
6. Former House of Assembly members.
7. Party Governorship flagbearers.
8. Present members of the Local Government Executive Council.
9. Present members of the Local Government Legislative Council.
10. Adhoc delegates, 2 per Local Government.

CONCLUSION:

The clamour for Direct Primaries hinges more on the fact that it promotes mass participation, and empowers party members to make their choice democratically – increasing the number of delegates will address that.

Signed:

Hon. Dr. Shina Peller (MHR)
(Ayedero of Yorubaland)