Politics
Misuse of Consensus: Senator Abdullahi says Direct primary mode is best for delegates selection
By John Danjuma
Former Senate leader and Senator representing Kebbi North Yahaya Abdullahi has asked for an amendment in the Electoral Act 2022 to revert to the Direct Primary mode the National assembly earlier adopted going by widely reported misuse of the consensus mode during the recently held primaries
Lawmakers had slammed the mandatory use of direct primaries on all political parties in the electoral bill, however, President Muhammadu Buhari declined to sign the bill until it was amended to include, indirect and consensus modes.
However, during the primary election held recently, the Governors still had the field day as there was alleged misuse of the consensus primary mode for their selfish interests to the detriment of the lawmakers.
Hence more than 70% of the lawmakers lost out to the power play with their governors of which Senator Abdullahi was a victim leading to defections from the ruling APC to opposition political parties.
Coming under order 41 of the senate standing order as amended the former senate leader raised a matter of urgent national importance saying,
“Our recent nasty experience of the misuse of consensus and delegate system has vindicated our earlier position on the merit of direct primaries provided a verifiable membership of the register of political parties is kept simultaneously at the ward level and with INEC with all necessary safeguard against corruption and data manipulation put in place.
Read Also >> Ekweremadu: NDPB Seeks Probe Into Alleged Breach Of Citizens’ Data Privacy
“Secondly, we still as a national assembly have a major outstanding matter that remains, that is we have to after the 2023 election, study the entire implementation process of what had happened so that we might have to revert to our earlier stance on direct primaries.
“We have the responsibility in this 9th assembly that as the political process towards 2023 unfolds the national assembly needs to be observant of the loopholes and weaknesses of the 2022 electoral act so that a comprehensive assessment can be undertaken to provide adequate grounds for making amendments to the act before the end of the 9th National Assembly.”
On the recent judgment by the Supreme Court over section 84(12) of the electoral Act 2022, he said,
“I rise to congratulate the 9th National Assembly for resisting the pressure from the executive arm of government to amend section 82(12) of the electoral act 2022.
“I also want to congratulate the Supreme court for the clarity, decisiveness, and the unanimity of its verdict in upholding the separation of powers principle as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
“I also want to congratulate Nigerians for this major victory in our match to true democratic governance anchored on the rule of law.
“My view is that the supreme court judgment should be celebrated for two reasons:: the first one is that it restored the power of law-making in the national assembly.
“The second one is that it established a principle that once a President assents to a bill, he or she can not appropriate and reprobate. He or she can not go to court to amend or reject the bill in part or in whole.
“This is a major principle that has emerged from this particular judgment.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said that efforts will be made by the National Assembly to amend the electoral act to serve as a safeguard against weaknesses identified in the law.
Lawan, in his remark, described the judgment by the Supreme Court on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act as a “landmark” judgment that vindicates the National Assembly.
According to him, further amendments to the Act would strengthen it ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He said, “Let me say that this is one major landmark judgment by the Supreme Court, that the National Assembly had done their job and the court upheld it
“The idea of what method of primaries should be adopted at the moment is entirely left for the political parties to decide.
“But as we implement the electoral act 2022, we are supposed to be very observant of the strengths and weaknesses of the law.
“This law is supposed to improve the electoral processes and procedures in our country.
“So, it is for us to ensure that where there are weaknesses, we try to come up with measures, and amendments to deal with the issues of weaknesses in the law.
“And, I’m sure it will come full circle when the 2023 elections are held.
“I have no doubt in my mind that all of us in the National Assembly, not only in the Senate but in the House as well, feel that we must do everything and everything possible to make this electoral act serve the purpose for which it was passed and assented to.
“Therefore, I believe that we should work tirelessly to take note of those areas that we feel are not strong enough – that are weak points in the law – with a view to strengthening them before we finally take our exit in 2023.”
Members of the Ika South Artisans Association in Delta State have pledged support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates across five electoral positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The artisans made the declaration on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an enlarged engagement with the APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, in Agbor, Delta State.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Morka to highlight the economic and infrastructural development efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, while addressing the concerns and empowerment needs of artisans.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Morka described artisans as indispensable contributors to national development, noting that their skills and services were essential to sectors such as housing, transportation, infrastructure and other areas of everyday life.
Speaking on the economy, he defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, explaining that the government inherited significant fiscal challenges, including fuel subsidy payments and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
He said the reforms had strengthened government revenues and increased the financial capacity of federal, state and local governments to execute development projects.
The APC spokesman also highlighted increased federal allocations to Delta State, saying the improved revenue position could accelerate infrastructure delivery and improve the lives of residents.
He cited major federal projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside ongoing road construction and bridge projects, as evidence of the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal efforts.
At the state level, Morka commended Governor Oborevwori for prioritising infrastructure development and executing projects aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating economic activities across Delta State.
Addressing the artisans’ concerns, he promised to facilitate their access to government empowerment programmes by identifying relevant federal and state initiatives and connecting the association’s leadership with the heads of agencies responsible for implementing them.
Morka also urged the participants to understand the constitutional responsibilities of elected officials and make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on them to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, Oborevwori and other APC candidates.
He specifically appealed to women at the gathering to support greater female representation in elective offices, urging them to back the APC candidate for Ika South Constituency, Hon. Cordelia Anyagwu, in her bid for election into the Delta State House of Assembly.
Other APC leaders and stakeholders at the engagement included the Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior; Dr. Donald Peterson; Hon. Emmanuel Osazuwa; Hon. Frank Izekor; and Hon. Cosmas Igbenije.
In their response, the artisans declared their readiness to support the APC across the five electoral positions of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
Morka thanked the association’s leadership and members for their participation, assuring them that their concerns and aspirations would receive appropriate attention.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will visit Benue State on Wednesday for a town hall meeting as part of efforts to promote their vision for a new Nigeria.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, will take place at Mission House, beside Benue Links Park, Wurukum, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Arrive in Calabar
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates to engage residents of the state and communicate their political vision ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the visit, Obi described Benue as the Food Basket of the Nation and said the delegation was taking its message of a new Nigeria to the state.
“PO IN BENUE.
“We are taking the message of a New Nigeria to the Food Basket of the Nation today,” the announcement read.
The town hall meeting is part of the party’s political engagement activities as Obi and Kwankwaso seek to build support for their joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Politics
Shettima Arrives Jigawa for APC Presidential Campaign Rally, Tinubu to Inaugurate Four Projects
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima arrived at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport, Dutse, where he was received by Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, alongside governors from other states.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The Vice President’s arrival was disclosed on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
Those present included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, APC stakeholders and other prominent political figures from across the country were also present to welcome the Vice President.
Before proceeding to the Dutse Township Stadium for the campaign rally, Shettima is expected to accompany President Tinubu to inaugurate four projects in the state.
The projects include the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, Jigawa State’s agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road project in Dutse.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening technical education, promoting skills acquisition, improving agricultural mechanisation and enhancing road infrastructure across the state.
Tinubu’s SA Preaches Harnessing Oil Production for Industrial Growth
RMAFC Reopens Oil Wells Dispute, Begins Verification in Nine States
NNPC JV Deploys Football for Peace Amongst Rivers Host Comms
MDGIF Woos Foreign Investors for Nigeria’s $200bn Gas Infrastructure
Shettima Visits Oba of Benin Ahead of APC Presidential Campaign Rally in Edo
2027: Ika Artisans Pledge Five-Position Support for APC After Morka’s Engagement
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
