Direct Primary For Party Elections Remains The Best Option – APC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) says using the direct primary mode in picking candidates remains the best and most credible form of election.

The Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Naija News had reported that the Senate on Tuesday approved that all political parties must use the direct primary for the election of candidates.

Akpanudoedehe said the direct primary will make the nomination of candidates transparent and devoid of controversies.

The APC said it will continue to support constitutionally permitted innovations that will improve Nigeria’s electioneering processes and internal democracy.

The ruling party, however, urged the Senate to ignore the rejection and comments made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the matter.

The statement read in parts: “The patriotic disposition of the multi-partisan 9th National Assembly should be commended.

“It is the right thing for the National Assembly to aggregate and consider the clamours by civil societies, interested stakeholders and indeed all Nigerians on all matters requiring legislation.

“In line with our progressive mantra, the credibility of elections has continued to improve under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government.

“Valid votes now count and past practices of electoral fraud inflicted on Nigerians by past PDP administrations are fast becoming a thing of the past.

“The APC as a party and government will continue to stand for and support free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to join us in this quest to deepen our democracy.”