2023: Group Advocates Direct Primaries for Political Parties in Kwara

 Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A leading pro-democracy group in Kwara State, Kwara Must Change (KMC), has called on all major political parties in the state to conduct direct primary elections in order to entrench popular participation in party politics.

 The group said that “O To Ge” (enough is enough) political revolution is about entrenching popular democratic practices, and all political parties in the state should not deviate from the lesson of the struggle in the selection process of party candidates.

In a statement issued by the Convener of the KMC, Mr. Abdulrazaq Hamzat, which was made available to newsmen in Ilorin yesterday, the group explained that “the amendment of the constitution to accommodate different methods of primaries should not to be disregarded.

 “But, it is clear that out of the three methods of primaries allowed in the recent amendment, namely consensus, direct and indirect primaries, only direct primaries is truly popular and participatory and that is what should be considered by major political parties in the state.

“In a growing democracy like ours, where there’s voters’ apathy and huge distrust of the electoral process, direct primaries should be the natural consideration for any political party willing to carry the people along in their processes.” 

Hamzat explained that direct primaries would allow all aspiring contestants to test their strength and popularity and if they did not make it, they will know that their inability is of their own weakness and limited capacity, making it easier to collaborate with the winners.

“However, if other methods of primaries are adopted, such limited participatory process maybe prone to error or manipulation, which often breeds more conflicts than partnership,” Hamzat said.

He, therefore, urged all major political parties in the state to carry the people along in their candidates’ selection processes by adopting direct primaries ahead of the 2023 general election.