A three-time governorship candidate and Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has warned the presidency and the National Assembly against supremacy battle, following the decline of the Presidential assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
President Muhammadu Buhari had declined assent to the bill earlier passed by the National Assembly. Some Senators had reportedly considered a motion to override the President on the botched legal framework.
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But Isiaka, popularly known as GNI, while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, urged all sides of the divide to exercise caution and allow better reasoning to prevail in the final determination of the contentious matter.
The APC chieftain who is also the Chairman of the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, said although the matter was political, it is also a constitutional matter, especially as it affects the rights of individuals, groups and political parties.
He called on the Presidency and National Assembly not to allow the amendment bill to become a supremacy battle.
GNI said, “The singular clause of direct primaries now threatens the whole bill which contains other plausible amendments.
“I have observed the argument for and against the direct primaries and for me, I think there are merits on both sides.
“I believe that the guardians of every democracy must seek to improve its electoral process and an abiding part of that is to ensure more inclusiveness, which the direct primaries seek to provide. It is a sentiment I share.
“Nevertheless, we must look into our peculiarities and see if indeed our political parties can deal with the complexities of such a process.
The three-time gubernatorial candidate advocated a medley of options for the National Assembly to reconsider.
He said, “I think it may be too soon for us to insist on direct primaries for all parties – which may not be infallible considering the attitude of political players in this clime.
“I would rather suggest that each political party adopt a process that is convenient for it; either direct primaries or the delegate system. That way, the right of everyone is protected.”
