CSO Asks Buhari To Sign New Electoral Act To Allow Inclusion Of Statutory Delegates In Primaries

The Nigerian Civil Society Coalition has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately amend to the new Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly to allow statutory delegates partake in the forthcoming political primaries of parties.

The group in a statement made available to GWGNG also condemned the use of the delegate system or indirect primaries in the selection of candidates by political parties in the country describing it as an violent erosion of the democratic ethos.

In the statement signed by its coordinator, Comrade Okwoli Adams and secretary, Dr Abdul Yahaya, the Civil Society group observed that current Electoral Act that favours elections of delegates to vote at the convention, congress or meetings of political parties.

It went further that the use of indirect primaries for the choice candidates, was not only anti-democratic but antithetical to the spirit of participatory democracy, and spells doom and catastrophe for the democratic destiny and future of Nigeria.

“It disfranchises voters and Nigerians (particularly statutory delegates who are former office holders) from participating in the electoral process. Democracy (as known the world over) is the Government of the people, by the people and for the people, and hence the amendment by the Federal Lawmakers is clearly in tandem with these first principles.

“With the 30 day constitutionally guaranteed window within which to assent or withhold consent to the Amended Electoral Act expiring, we urge on Mr. President to save the country’s future by assenting to the Electoral Act 2022 Amendment Bill before him, prior to commencement of party primaries.

“Furthermore, the Nigerian Civil Society Coalition shall review and communicate her position on the matter to Civil Society Organizations across the country for onward actions in order to save our democracy” the group said following the condemnation of the indirect primaries by parties.

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