Senate Okays Direct, Indirect Primaries, Amends Clause 84

The Senate on Wednesday rose from its plenary and elected to rescind an amendment of the Electoral Act that hitherto made it compulsory for political parties to conduct their primaries only through the Direct method.

The senate consequently re-amended the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed by the National Assembly on 18 November 2022.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan had on Tuesday assured that the 2022 Electoral Act would be given the needed attention it deserves so that President Mohammadu Buhari can assent to it speedily.

The Senate at its plenary in Abuja on Wednesday revealed that it has now amended Clause 84 to allow for direct, indirect, and consensus options of nominating party candidates for political party elections.

Specifically, the Senate in Clause 84(2) of the report recommended direct, indirect primaries or consensus as procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions.

The Clause 84(3) stated that “a political party that adopts the difference direct primaries procedure shall ensure that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the part.”

Clause 84(4) further provides that “a political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall adopt the procedure outlined below; (a) In the case of nominations to the position of Presidential candidate, a political party shall, (i) hold special conventions in each of the 36 states of the federation and FCT, where delegates shall vote for each of the aspirants at designated centers in each State Capital on specified dates.”

The clause provides that a National Convention shall be held for the ratification of the candidate with the highest number of votes.