The Speaker of the House of Representatives, 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.
In a statement, his special media aide, Lanre Lasisi, quoted the Speaker as saying that direct primaries would bring more accountability and adequate representation.
According to him, with direct primaries, political office holders would not be restricted to pleasing a group of people selected as delegates.
He further noted that through direct primaries, political officers would work for 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 electing their representatives right from the grassroots level, hence his resolve to champion direct primaries.
The Speaker, while 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 on direct primaries, said he preferred a political space open for all, including the youths, to participate fully.
Gbajabiamila said some members of the political class may 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 the lawmakers exist, saying: “The youths are the greatest asset of any nation, not just in Nigeria.”
He said Nigerian youths are thriving in different spheres of life, but decried their non-interest in politics.
“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 they 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.
