Electoral Act Amendment:  Gbajabiamila struggles to defend support for direct primaries

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday struggled to defend his support for the controversial direct primaries injected into the Electoral Act Amendment Bill by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The Speaker in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Lanre Lasisi, explained that direct primaries would bring more accountability and adequate representation.

Gbajabiamila was of the view that with direct primaries, political office holders would not be restricted to pleasing a group of people selected as delegates. The Speaker maitnaineed that through direct primaries, political officers would work for the generality of their party members, and by extension the electorate.

Speaker Gbajabiamila, hosting a delegation of the Nigerian youths, led by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on a ‘Thank You’ visit for his role in the legislation on direct primaries, emphasized that he observed that many Nigerians, especially the youths, want to participate fully in electing their representatives right from the grassroots level, hence, his resolve to champion direct primaries.

He expressed preference for a political space that is open for all stakeholders, including the youths, to participate fully.

Gbajabiamila stated that some members of the political class may not be comfortable with the direct primaries, noting that the majority of the masses are in support of direct primaries, which he said, would give them the opportunity of deciding who would represent them.

Gbajabiamila declared: “If I know that my return will depend on some few men, I may 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 Primary.

“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.”

Speaker Gbajabimila urged the Nigerian youths to “take advantage of the new amendment,” adding: “power is not served a la carte.

“I’ll ask that you carry that advocacy out there because it’s for you.”

The speaker stated that, “the youths are the greatest asset of any nation, not just in Nigeria.”

He observed that Nigerian youths are thriving in different spheres of life but decried their non-interest in politics.

According to the Speaker, “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 capitalized on.”

The Speaker emphasized that the provision of adequate funding for the youths showed that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government recognized that they are the future of the country.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, leading a delegation of about 20 youths, had earlier disclosed that the visit was to thank the Speaker for moving the amendment for direct primaries, which he said would accommodate the Nigerian youth in the political space.

“I want to thank the Hon. Members and the House for the support they’ve been giving us for the past two years of our stewardship. I want to also thank you for your support for the youth of our country.

“Between 65% and 70% 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 youths’ 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 goes 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.

“We believe that the House of Representatives is a true representation of the Nigerian youth,” the Minister had said.

Dare revealed that the delegation included representatives from the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP), etc.

Meanwhile, there are arguments that the party government should not impose a particular electoral process for all parties, adding that parties should be at liberty to decide whether to adopt direct or indirect primaries in nomination of candidates  for elections.