APC backs Senate on direct primaries, chides PDP

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its commitment for credible elections in Nigeria.

The ruling party said it is in support of constitutionally-permitted innovations that will improve the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s electioneering processes and internal democracy, specifically the nomination of political party candidates.

The party spoke against the backdrop of Tuesday’s Senate amendments to the Electoral Act, which empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt electronic transmission of election results and adoption of direct primaries for parties.

National Secretary, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, urged Nigerians to ignore the criticism of direct primaries by the PDP.

“Accordingly, the soundbites from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be ignored in its entirety. PDP is only pretending to be an opposition political party.

The APC hailed the lawmakers for the passage of direct primaries.

“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,” he said.

Akpanudoedehe stated that the party will continue to support the conduct of credible elections.

“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.

“At party level, the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni has entrenched internal democracy in nomination processes as recorded in recent and successful nationwide congresses conducted by the party.

“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, Akpanudoedehe said.