The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not fund primary elections for political parties, either direct or indirect. Hon. Mukhtar Betara, the Chairman Committee House on Appropriation made this known to journalists after meeting with Mahmud Yakubu, the INEC Chairman yesterday in Abuja. Betara said, after a serious deliberation with his committee members on the cost and implication of both the direct and the indirect primaries with the electoral empire, it was concluded that the INEC has a very minimal role in the process as the party has a greater stake.
The lawmaker said, “In our discussions with the INEC Chairman, we wanted to know his requirements for the 2023 elections as well as the cost of direct or indirect primaries.
“On the primaries, when we discussed with him, he specifically told us the role of INEC in direct or indirect primaries which he said is just minimal. He said the responsibility lies with all the political parties. He said conducting primaries is the role of political parties and not INEC.
Betara explained that the INEC was very explicit that the political parties being the platform are the ones responsible for funding the primaries.
The INEC boss, shortly after the meeting while briefing journalists said, the Commission is yet to give an estimate for the conduct of primaries. He also refused to divulge the content of his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari”.
Recall, vigil360 reported that the electoral empire received a letter from President Buhari seeking its input before it will consent to the Electoral bill pending in his office.
The Lawmakers sequel to the motion moved by, Leke Abejide last week resolved that the INEC and it's committee members to meet and resolve on how the process should be funded. The indirect clause in the electoral bill has set the governors and the lawmakers on each other’s neck to an extent of threatening the ruling party.
Direct primaries is the process sometimes called option A4, where all card-carrying members of the party gather together to select candidates, while the indirect make use of the party delegates. The Electoral Bill was transmitted to President Buhari after the lawmakers have harmonised their resolution.
Meanwhile, APC Governors have continued to kick against the direct primaries allegedly that they may lose control of the party if they risk it. The progressive Governors through, Governor Atiku Bagudu has demanded that the mode of primaries should be left for the political parties to decide.
Governors losing out on election and funding of the process has now remained the controversy of the direct primaries.
