The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has backed the Senate’s adoption of direct primary for the election of candidates by political parties on Tuesday.
The party reaffirmed its commitment and support for constitutionally permitted innovations that will improve the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s electioneering processes and internal democracy, and specifically the nomination of political party candidates.
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Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe, in a statement on Wednesday, said the soundbites from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the issue should be ignored in its entirety.
The PDP and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) had kicked against the Senate’s adoption of direct primaries for political parties in the country.
But the APC said, “The patriotic disposition of the multi-partisan 9th National Assembly should be commended.
“It is the right thing for the National Assembly to aggregate and consider the clamours by civil societies, interested stakeholders and indeed all Nigerians on all matters requiring legislation.
“In line with our progressive mantra, the credibility of elections has continued to improve under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government.
“Valid votes now count and past practices of electoral fraud inflicted on Nigerians by past PDP administrations are fast becoming a thing of the past.
“The APC as a party and government will continue to stand for and support free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to join us in this quest to deepen our democracy,” the party said.
