Who's Scared of APC primaries?
by
Abdullahi Umar.



According to legendary Afro Beat originator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and obviously using the Nigerian State to juxtapose the different categories of malaria,ie Influenza Fever - Malaria Fever-Inflation Fever - Jaundice Fever- Yellow Fever,-And now, it is safe to add ELECTION FEVER- to aptly capture the present atmosphere that engulfed the Nigerian political space.

The 2019 General Elections is few months away- but, expectedly, political actors are engaged in series of permutations, realignments, consultation, cross-carpeting and scheming. Recently, the electoral umpire, INEC had given the nod for political party to roll out the drum for primary elections,including dates and schedules for the conduct.
In the foregoing, the masses are at the liberty of the political gladiators and actors be it in APC, PDP, APGA ADP etc. Whatever actions birthed by these political actors would obviously have a chain reaction and over reaching consequences that reverberates down to the common man. Therefore, it becomes imperative for all irrespective of creed, political leanings, and or faith to engage gully in the electoral process. From the collection of PVC, to the updating of political party membership registration, these must be a civic responsibility which citizens must avail themselves with.
A recent breakdown by INEC of PVCs collected showed the Northwest leading with the highest number of registered voters with about 18million, followed by the Southwest, with 16 million. Northeast, South-South , North-Central followed suit, while the Southeast has the least number or registered voters.
And only this week, INEC reported that Kano state has about 5million registered voters. But, the voter apathy witnessed in some regions especially the Southeast is predicate upon neglect, prebendalism and bad governance by successive governments. Boycott of such civic responsibility is not the option to show displeasure, rather, the common man must fully engage actively in the electoral and political process.

Talking about engaging actively in the electoral and political process by citizens brought us to the noble pronouncements made by the APC for the adoption of the Direct Primary elections Model for 2019 general elections.
The proclamations was greeted with diverse reaction, some in support, while other against.And the dust raised as a result, in not handle properly, might lead to imploded of the party. It seems,however, the party is walking on a tight rope.

The APC constitution provide for about two or three options in the conduct of its primaries, namely: I.Direct Primary II.Indirect Primary(Delegate)
III.Consensus

Whichever model it choose to adopt is subject to ratification and harmonize by the NWC and NEC,and such decisions cascades down to the various state chapters.


DIRECT PRIMARY
To understand the benefits of the Direct Primary, it is however pertinent, for the purpose of this discourse to examine the origin and concept of the Direct primary.
The idea of the Direct primary elections emanates from the democratic model in which registered party members choose party candidates through secret ballot similar to a general election. By virtue of the transparency of the exercise, corruption, which often mars the delegates system is curbed as there will be little or no room for delegate camping or according them undue importance.Aspirants may develop confidence and interact freely with party members.

For all intent and purposes, the resolve by the leadership of the party opting for Direct Primary is borne out of the desire to allow ordinary card carrying members take ownership of the party. Because, it curtails the excessive influential of money- bags, party big-wigs as well as State Governors.

Direct primary provides the perfect scenario and opportunity for candidates to test their popularity and acceptability before the General election- more like testing the waters.
This model also, provides