Bamidele to Buni’s CECPC: Let’s have direct primary for Ekiti

An Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has petitioned the Hon. Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party to adopt the use of the direct mode of election for the party’s primary.

Bamidele, a serving Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, made this plea on Friday shortly after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms at the party national secretariat in Abuja.

He said direct primary would give party members a sense of belonging in electing who fly the governorship ticket of the party.

Although he appeared ready for any of the three modes approved by the party’s constitution, he insisted that consensus mode was no go area for the party at the January 22 party primary in the state.

“If you ask me as an individual, what is my preference? I would say any day, I would prefer the direct mode of primaries. Just because, for me, it is a way of ensuring participatory democracy, which makes it possible for every card-carrying member of the party to participate in the decision-making process.

“It also helps to ensure that the most popular aspirant emerges which also gives a lot of impetus to the rank-and-file members of the party who feel proud that they were part of the decision-making process and that it was their decision that carried the day. That instantly gives them the enthusiasm that is needed for them to be able to even actively participate in the general election campaign, that’s my preference. That’s my choice.

“It does not mean that if the party chooses the indirect mode of primaries or any other one, it will not foreclose me from participating. But as an individual, that is my preference but I believe direct primaries are a way of giving power back to the people. The refusal of the President to sign (Electoral Act) also is not because the President is fundamentally opposed to the direct mode of primaries because of some logistics concerns.

“But the good thing about it is if you do direct primaries in an isolated election holding in Ekiti or holding in Osun which would be the only election in the country by the time is holding, I don’t think that’s a kind of logistic concern that would offset anything or cause pain for anyone. So, I feel that the leadership of the party will take whatever decision that is in the best interest of the party.”

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