The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi
Gbajabiamila, has explained why he pushed for direct primaries as the only
method through which political parties should elect candidates to stand for
elections.
The Speaker said direct primaries would bring more
accountability and adequate representation as political office holders would
not be restricted to pleasing a group of few people selected as delegates, but
would work for the interest of the generality of their party members, and by
extension, the electorate.
Besides, Gbajabiamila said he observed that many Nigerians,
especially the youths, want to participate fully in the election of those that
would represent them, right from the grassroots level, hence his resolve to
champion direct primaries.
The Speaker, while hosting a delegation of the Nigerian
youths on a thank-you visit for his role on direct primaries led by the
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Thursday, said he
preferred a situation where the political space is opened for all, including
the youths, to participate fully.
This is even as Nigerian youths thanked the Speaker for
single-handedly moving for the amendment in the Electoral Act to have direct
primaries as the only method of electing parties’ candidates.
Gbajabiamila said some members of the political class might
not be comfortable with the arrangement but 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.
Advancing some of the reasons, Gbajabiamila said: “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.”
The Speaker, therefore, challenged the Nigerian youths to
“take advantage of the new amendment,” saying, “power is not served a la carte.
“I’ll ask that you carry that advocacy out there because
it’s for you.”
He noted that the youths are part of the reasons why
lawmakers exist, saying, “The youths are the greatest asset of any nation, not
just in Nigeria.”
Gbajabiamila said the Nigerian youths are thriving in
different spheres of life, but that when it comes to politics, they do not show
much interest.
“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 also said the fact that the President Muhammadu
Buhari led government provides adequate funding for the youths showed that it
recognized that the youths are the future of the country.
He thanked the minister for leading the youths delegation to
thank him for the role he played in ensuring the inclusion of direct primaries
as the only method of electing political parties’ candidates for elections.
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