The House of Representatives has
invited the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof
Mahmood Yakubu, to clear the air on the cost implication of conducting direct
primaries by political parties in the country.
This was after the lawmaker
representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency of Kogi
State, Rep. Leke Abejide moved a motion of urgent public importance on Thursday
in Abuja during plenary.
Yakubu is to appear before the
Committees on Appropriations and Electoral Matters to speak on the matter.
In the motion which was
unanimously endorsed at the session presided over by the Speaker, Rep. Femi
Gbajabiamila, Abejide called attention to the speculation making the rounds
that it would cost over N500billion for political parties to conduct direct
primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The cost implication is said to
likely decide the fate of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2021
still pending before the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The bill captured direct
primaries as the mode of choosing the candidates of political parties for
elections.
He pointed out that INEC is in
the best position to clear the air on the cost implication of direct primaries
since it is the umpire supervising both the primaries of political parties and
the main elections.
Abedeji added, “We all know the
importance of direct primaries.
“Some people say it will cost N500bn. This is
mere speculation because the cost of direct primaries may be within the budget
of INEC.”
He stated that the best time to
invite Yakubu would be now that the 2022 budget was still pending before the
National Assembly.
He explained that this would help
the legislature to decide on appropriate budgeting.
Giving his directive after the
motion was passed, Speaker Gbajabiamila said, “Committees on INEC and
Appropriation, please invite the INEC chairman so that he can give us the
possible cost implications of direct primaries.”
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