Nigeria’s ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described the direct primary process passed by the National Assembly as the best for political parties if properly carried out.
He, however, cautioned that the controversy generated by the passage of the direct primary process must not be allowed to disrupt the electoral bill.
He spoke with newsmen in Ilorin on Saturday, on the sidelines of the 9th memorial prayer for his late father, Olusola Abubakar Saraki, held at the family’s residence, Iloffa Road GRA, Ilorin.
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The two-time governor of Kwara State, said ‘the most important thing is for President Muhammadu Buhari to assent the electoral bill for Nigerians to benefit from its other parts.
‘Direct primary is best for political parties if properly done. But I am sure Nigerians are not prepared for it, because there is still a lot of work to be done.
‘But now that the National Assembly has passed it, we should make the best out of the situation rather than allowing the controversy on one item to throw away the other good parts of the bill,’ Dr Saraki added.
He commended the INEC on the successful conduct of the recent Anambra governorship election, where the PDP emerged second, saying it was a success for Nigeria and democracy.
On the recently concluded PDP National Convention, Dr Saraki said the party also demonstrated capacity and leadership qualities to deliver the country with the way its leaders reconciled to hold the convention.
‘What is important now is Nigeria and not the personal ambition of anybody,’ he declared.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has opened up on why he made frantic efforts for direct primaries to be adopted as the only method through which political parties should elect candidates to stand for elections.
The Speaker explained that direct primaries would bring about more accountability and adequate representation as political office holders would not be restricted to pleasing a group of few people selected as delegates, but would work for the interest of the generality of their party members, and by extension, the electorate.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
