SDP, Yoruba Ronu Forum differ on proposed direct primaries

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum have differed on the proposed bill for direct primaries by the National Assembly.

While the SDP urged Nigerians to reject the imposition of direct primaries on the polity and as well advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign it into law, the Forum said the bill would open up the political space for people’s participation at the parties level and as well deepen the nation’s democracy.

The forum urged the President to sign the bill into law. In a statement, yesterday, National Chairman of SDP, Dr. Olu Agunloye, said though direct primaries might have some laudable features, the process should not be lorded over every political party to be used in every case and at all times.

The SDP said whether or not the retrogressive bill has been motivated by corruption or selfishness, “it remains a purely misplaced action by the National Assembly as the bill does not augur well for the nation.

“It does not sit in conformity with the current electoral reforms being put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the votes of Nigerians count and be accountable. The bill is anti-people because it does not seek to create easier access to political freedom and social justice.

However, President Yoruba Ronu, Akin Malaolu, commended the lawmakers for focusing their amendment of the electoral laws on the rejig for people’s participation in the internal politics of all registered political parties, by opening up the political space.

The forum described the bill as a good replay of Option A4 that was used in the 1992 elections that was very successful. It said the bill, if passed into law, would address the mentality of individuals and false mentality of political parties.

It, therefore, asked the President to go ahead and sign the electoral bill into law so that the happiness that has been missing among the people within the political parties can start to show and spread outwardly.