Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, today, chaired an enlarged meeting of the Tripartite Consultative Committee of the Executive, Legislative and APC leadership at the State House where the adoption of direct primaries by the National Assembly took centre stage.
It has been reported that while the lawmakers were for direct primaries, most state governors were opposed to the idea, with the issue generating controversy.
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The members of the National Assembly at the meeting insisted that direct primary was the way to go as they argued that it had been working for the electorate.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, former Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aleiro, said the National Assembly had done the best for the country by providing for direct primary for parties.
On the move by APC governors to dump the provision, he said the National Assembly had been cooperating with the Executive “but on this, we cannot be coerced to change our position.”
Also speaking after the meeting, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello said the fear of the Executive is the lack of alternative provided in case the direct primaries failed.
“I don’t think any governor or anybody whatsoever as far as APC is concerned is afraid or has any reservations as far as our participation is concerned.
“The only concern is the implication of having only one option. In case an option fails what happened?
“If for instance now, INEC sets a date for election and you can’t shift it, what would you do? And if circumstance beyond control arises what do we do?,” he said.
Bello said it was up to the President to decide what becomes of the issue “Whatever the legislature will pass and is acceptable by the executive, then everybody will have to buy in and make sure it works.
“It is yet to be signed into law. So, we’re waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief. Once it’s signed into law, then we will make sure it works. If he does not, then it will be returned to the National Assembly or whatever action that can be taken.
“If it is returned to the National Assembly, it will not be the first of such bill to be returned. If it is assented to in the wisdom of the President, so be it, we will all work to ensure that it works.”
Also fielding questions from reporters at the end of the tripartite meeting, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the Special Adviser to the President on Politics, hailed the party leaders for reaching an agreement in a democratic manner.
Senator Ojudu said: “I think the outcome of today’s meeting is victory for internal democracy in APC. You recall that, in his sagely wisdom, President Muhammadu Buhari had set up a tripartite mechanism to interface whenever conflicts of this nature arose between the party, the body of governors and members of the National Assembly.
“Acting on the President’s mandate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo called today’s meeting to allow for all parties to ventilate their voices in a no-holds-barred manner. It was a family meeting. At the end, a common ground was reached.”
“Direct primaries was upheld and aspirants under our party can now go back to the people and seek endorsement rather than giving a few delegates the power to decide for all,” Ojudu said in a Facebook post.
He described the atmosphere in which the meeting held. “Tension was high. Emotions predominated but the Vice President was able to play the role of a great conciliator.
“While the younger elements in the House of Representatives were vehement and uncompromising in the expression of their preference, the Senators were calm but resolute.
“The VP laid out the reasons for calling the meeting and allowed the parties to ventilate
“It was a victory for the party, the governors and the legislators. We should commend the party leaders for reaching an agreement in a democratic manner.”
