Direct Primaries: APC Tripartite Committee Fails To Reach Agreement

The Tripartite Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve disagreements in the All Progressives Congress, APC, regarding the use of direct primaries to select candidates for political parties failed to reach an agreement after a lengthy meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was held at the Old Banquet Hall of the presidential villa, Abuja, was chaired by Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo.

The tripartite committee is made up of the Executive, the Legislature and the APC executives.

While the National Assembly made it very clear during the meeting that their decision was finale as they had earlier passed the bill which is now awaiting the president’s assent, the executive said the lawmakers needed to provide alternative to the direct primary option.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, a former governor of Kebbi State and serving senator, Adamu Aleiro, said what the National Assembly had done in providing for direct primary for parties was the best for the country

He noted that the National Assembly had been cooperating with the Executive saying that “but on this, we cannot be coerced to change our position.”

Also speaking after the meeting, Kogi State governor, Mr Yahaya Bello, said the fear of the executive was the lack of alternative provided in case the direct primaries fail.

He said the final decision on the matter was left for President Buhari who he noted will decide whether to assent to the Electoral Bill or return it to the National Assembly.

The governor said if the president decided to return the bill, it will not be the first time, adding that if he assented to the bill, the governors will have no choice but to work for its implementation.

“This is the Tripartite Committee set up by the the President being the executive, the legislature and our great party to ensure that every topical issue that affects the people of this country at various arms of government is well discussed by the party and taken good decision in the best interest of everybody,” Bello said.

On whether the governors were comfortable with the decision of the lawmakers, he added: “I don’t think any governor or anybody whatsoever as far as APC is concerned is afraid or has any reservations as far as our participation is concerned.

“The only concern is the implication of having only one option. In case an option fails what happened?

“If for instance now, INEC sets a date for election and you can’t shift it, what would you do? And if circumstance beyond control arises what do we do?”

Asked if the decision to insert direct primary in the Electoral Bill can still be changed, he said, “In their own wisdom nobody’s going to meddle into affairs of the legislature. So, whatever decision they have taken, if it is in the interest of the people so be it.

“If in their own wisdom that is how they want it, so, be it.”

On the question of whether the governors will accept the direct primary, he said it was up to the President to decide what becomes of it.

“Whatever the legislature will pass and is acceptable by the executive, then everybody will have to buy in and make sure it works,” he clarified.

“It is yet to be signed into law. So, we’re waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief. Once it’s signed into law, then we will make sure it works. If he does not, then it will be returned to the National Assembly or whatever action that can be taken.

“If it is returned to the National Assembly, it will not be the first of such bill to be returned. If it is assented to in the wisdom of the President, so be it, we will all work to ensure that it works.”

Meanwhile the Special Adviser to the President on Politics, Office of the Vice President, Babafemi Ojudu, said tension was high at the meeting but that the Vice President managed the situation.

On his verified Facebook handle, Ojpdu wrote: “The resolution tonight of tripartite meeting is victory for party internal democracy.