Politics
Ekweremadu says for Nigeria’s democracy to work, Direct Primary remains the only viable mode
To consolidate on the Nigerian Nascent democracy former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has indicated that only direct primary election option is most viable in the nomination of candidates.
The senate had infused direct primary as the only option in the 2022 electoral act which prompted President Buhari to decline assent to the bill until the National assembly deleted the clause to allow for Indirect, Direct and Consensus options
Again, most of the senators lost out due to the supremacy battle with their governors as the consensus option was adopted by most States.
A statement issued by his special adviser on media Uche Anichukwu also quoted the lawmaker to have rued the negative influence of narrow and partisan interests in the making of 2022 Electoral Act, as the long-delayed creation of state police could no longer guarantee internal security.
He also called on the nation’s leaders to seek urgent help of the international community to flush out terrorist cartels or risk Nigeria becoming another Somalia.
Ekweremadu spoke at a commemorative lecture, “Nigeria’s Democratic Experience: Reflections on Leadership Recruitment and Democratic Institution Building”, organised by the National Legislative and Democratic Institute (NILDS) in Abuja on Tuesday.
“When we mounted the leadership of the 6th National Assembly in 2007, and in subsequent Assemblies, we took it upon ourselves to reform the electoral system, including strengthening the critical institutions in the electoral process, namely the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the political parties.
“Whereas the INEC has really stabilised and improved greatly, the political parties have not made the expected progress.
Read Also >> Lawan Hails President Buhari Over Successful APC Presidential Primary
“Some of our efforts include financial autonomy for the INEC; administrative autonomy for the INEC; removal of membership of a political party as a qualification for appointment into the INEC; early release of funds to INEC; early primaries to allow time for resolving any issues, while also allowing the INEC 360 days to prepare for elections; barring of the INEC from rejecting/disqualifying candidates; removal of the INEC officials as respondents in election petitions; removal of restriction on electronic voting; legal backing for smart card readers and any other voter accreditation technology that the INEC may deploy; and electronic transfer of results; and ending of disqualification of candidates by administrative panels.
“Others are compulsory conduct of party primaries to address the issue of impositions; substitution of candidates only in the event of death or written withdrawal by a candidate; early commencement of election campaigns; empowerment of political parties to conduct primary election to replace a candidate who died in the course of an election; timeframe for determination of pre-election matters; timeframe for determination of election petitions; stoppage of government subventions for political parties; window for direct primaries; reduction of age qualification for political offices; stipulation of the conditions and process for deregistration of political parties, among other vital reforms”, he stated.
Ekweremadu, however, said that whereas several milestones were achieved in the Electoral Act 2022, the Act could have been better were the processes not hijacked by narrow and political interests.
He said: “A thorough scrutiny of the Act would show that unlike the Electoral Act 2010, Electoral Act 2022 lacks sequence and coordination, as lot of things were jumbled up.
“Furthermore, it took the intervention of some of us for critical provisions to make it into the Electoral Act. For instance, I personally drafted the provision for the Electronic Transmission of Results for inclusion in the Bill because for whatever reason, it was not there originally.
“It took enormous push by some progressives among the Committee members to push such provisions through.
“Even after we had signed off on the report, there were still attempts to water it down to suit narrow and party interests. Thank God, some of us as well as the media and CSOs were alert.
“It was also the hijack of the process to tailor the law to serve narrow group and partisan interests that resulted in the grave error of the exclusion of statutory delegates, including lawmakers themselves, from participation in party primaries”.
Ekweremadu explained that the whole essence of direct primary was to ensure that all bona fide members of each political party partake in the primary elections and make hijack of the process by a few persons difficult, adding that the result of the veto of that provision by the President and insistence on the restoration of delegate mode and inclusion of consensus mode of nomination was “the recent political fraud perpetrated across the nation and across various political parties in the name of party primaries”.
“Today, not only does money play greater roles in the emergence of candidates, turning delegates to overnight millionaires, because the delegates are fewer, the non-participation of statutory delegates was fate playing into the hands of the governors, who colluded with greedy party leaders to manipulate the emergence of ad-hoc delegates and weaponise them fully for their selfish political interests.
“At the end of the day, democracy and the people, are at the receiving end, as the masses can only elect candidates thrown up by the various political parties.
“My advise, therefore, is that we need to restrict political parties to direct primaries as the only mode of nominating candidates if we truly want to preserve and grow our democracy, and recruit leaders that will truly serve the collective interest” he added.
Ekweremadu, further advocated that only political parties, which made their electronic and biometric membership registers available to INEC at least one year to the commencement of the primary elections, should be allowed to nominate candidates for the general election.
He, however, called for bold steps to “recalibrate our security system because we must first have a secure country before we can have a meaningful democracy”.
“Currently, Nigeria is gliding down the slope and we all have ourselves to blame for refusing to do the right thing over the years.
“Before now, some of us had shouted on top of our voices on the need to decentralise the police system, but to no avail. I sponsored a Bill for the Creation of State Police in the 8th and the current National Assembly, but nobody seemed to pay attention.
“I regret to inform you that by my own estimation and taking lessons from other climes, our condition has become so bad that even state police can no longer save us now.
“Terrorists, bandits, and all manner of criminal cartels have taken the nation by the jugular, and we must now urgently seek the help of the international community, lock the country down, and deal with our security situation.
Otherwise, once a few of the terrorist cartels are able to take full control of a few states for their respective selves, our fate would be like that of Somalia. God forbid”, he concluded.
The battle for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027 has officially gathered momentum as leading opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde intensified moves aimed at challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition leaders made major political declarations on Thursday, unveiling plans, alliances, and presidential ambitions that could reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the next general election.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Kwankwasiyya Movement Fires Warning Shot Over Attacks on Kwankwaso
Atiku Abubakar, now contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), submitted his presidential nomination form at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, describing his ambition as part of a broader mission to rescue Nigeria from hardship and despair.
According to the former vice president, Nigerians must unite beyond ethnic and religious divisions to restore prosperity and rebuild confidence in governance.
“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” Atiku said.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who also submitted his nomination form under the ADC, launched a scathing criticism of the APC-led administration, blaming the “Emilokan” ideology for the economic suffering currently facing Nigerians.
Amaechi argued that leadership should be based on competence and performance rather than tribal, regional, or religious sentiments.
“It is Emilokan that brought us here. Nigerians are suffering,” he declared while addressing supporters in Abuja.
The former Rivers governor further questioned the APC’s push for another term, insisting the current administration had failed to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi disclosed that he would spend only one term in office if elected president in 2027.
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV, the former Labour Party presidential candidate stated that he had no intention of remaining in power beyond four years.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I will not stay a day longer than four years,” Obi stated.
He also criticised the country’s worsening economic conditions, rising debt profile, and increasing hardship under the current administration.
In Ibadan, Governor Seyi Makinde formally declared his presidential ambition under a new political alliance involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).
Makinde announced the launch of the “Reset Nigeria Movement,” which he described as the beginning of a wider opposition coalition determined to offer Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.
The Oyo governor accused the ruling party of weakening democracy and attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“The economic and security situations continue to worsen, forcing Nigerians into survival mode,” Makinde said during a mega rally at Mapo Hall.
He urged opposition parties and ordinary citizens to unite in order to rescue the country from worsening insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, Alhaji Usman Adamu, has come to the defence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saying most of those accusing him of working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) have now joined the ruling party themselves.
Adamu made the remarks in Abuja while submitting his nomination forms for the Bauchi governorship race ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP aspirant dismissed claims that Wike was secretly backing the APC, arguing that many of the minister’s critics had already defected to the ruling party.
SEE ALSO: “PDP Can’t Unseat Tinubu with Wike in Charge” — Ulasi Blows Hot, Threatens Exit
“About 85 per cent of those accusing him have already officially decamped to the APC. Who is working for APC?” he asked.
Praising Wike’s political strength and influence within the PDP, Adamu compared the minister’s political survival to a football match where one player defeated several opponents.
“Before, about 14 governors ganged up against one person. Gradually, one after the other, you were scoring one, two. I have never seen such a scorer. In the end, the match ended 14-0. I am thanking Wike,” he said.
According to him, politics is like a battlefield that requires strategy, leadership and strong fighters to secure victory.
Turning to his governorship ambition, Adamu described himself as a unifying figure capable of bridging the gap between youths, women and elders in Bauchi State.
“I am not too old and neither too young to be a leader in this country. I will be the bridge between the women, youths and elders,” he stated.
On regional politics in the state, Adamu said he does not belong to either of the dominant blocs, stressing that he would stand as a neutral force for unity.
“We have a dichotomy in the state that is called Bauchi-Kataokum. I don’t belong to Bauchi, I don’t belong to Kataokum. I will be in the middle of this place,” he added.
The PDP governorship hopeful also expressed confidence in his chances of winning the election, even if the incumbent governor supports another candidate.
“Power and authority belongs to God and only Him can decide the future with certainty. Bauchi people are very wise and they can choose what they want for themselves,” he said.
Adamu further dismissed reports suggesting the PDP was losing relevance in Bauchi State due to internal crises and defections.
“As far as I am concerned, there is one party here, which is PDP. PDP has its stronghold in Bauchi. Most of the people of Bauchi are PDP and you cannot change them from that position,” he declared.
He also questioned the legitimacy of rival factions within the party, insisting that only leaders recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be taken seriously.
Despite ongoing tensions within the opposition party, Adamu maintained that the PDP would emerge stronger after its primaries and remain a major political force in Bauchi State.
A female aspirant under the All Progressives Congress in Borno State, Yakaka Alkali, has criticised the continued dominance of men in positions meant to advocate for women, describing it as a reflection of the low participation of women in politics.
Alkali, who is contesting for the Borno State House of Assembly seat representing Magumeri Local Government Area, said the current situation where a man heads the House Committee on Women Affairs in the state highlights the urgent need for more women to participate in governance.
SEE ALSO: Rivers 2027: APC Stakeholders Move to Secure Fubara’s Second Term
Speaking in Maiduguri on Sunday, the APC aspirant said her decision to join the race was driven by her passion to serve her people, protect the interests of women and children, and promote gender balance in the state assembly.
“Let me tell you, the current Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs is a man because of the absence of women. So, if women like myself are encouraged to participate, we will fill these gaps,” she said.
According to Alkali, there are three contenders battling for the APC ticket, including the current lawmaker seeking re-election and another male aspirant.
“My aspiration is motivated by my passion, sincerity, and dedication to serving my people. I am confident that I will emerge victorious,” she stated.
The 45-year-old politician also applauded Babagana Zulum for supporting women’s inclusion in politics and governance, saying his administration understands the importance of female representation.
She further commended the APC for reducing the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for women and persons living with disabilities.
“The actual fee is N5 million, but it was reduced to N2.5 million for women and people with disabilities. That shows the party is trying to encourage inclusion,” she explained.
Alkali also called for more awareness and political education for women, stressing that many women are willing to participate in politics but lack guidance and support.
“Women are caregivers and their experiences are important in shaping policies on education, security, and development. Usually, women want to participate, but many are afraid because they do not know how to begin,” she added.
She expressed optimism that increased support and encouragement would help create better gender balance in Nigeria’s political space.
Over 100 Students Hospitalised as Fresh Gas Leak Hits Ogun Schools
“Free El-Rufai Before Eid” — Atiku Blasts FG Over Detention
2027 Showdown Begins as Atiku, Obi, Amaechi, Makinde Unite Against Tinubu
$100,000 Science Prize: NLNG Raises Bar for AI Innovation
Tinubu Moves to Grant Visa-Free Entry for Rwanda
Adoption of AI Feature as NIPetGE Pays Courtesy Call at NNPC Ltd
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
