Senator representing Ekiti Central, and a leading aspirant for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has said that direct primary remains the best option for chosing the party’s standard bearer.
Senator Bamidele also said consensus arrangement would not work given the sheer number of aspirants that have declared interest in the race.
He made this known on Friday while speaking with newsmen at the APC national secretariat after submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.
He said: “Well, I want to say that, you may not have a particular model that will be acceptable to all aspirants at the same time and that’s part of the essence of democracy. And that’s why the constitution of the party provides for three different modes of conducting primary elections. One is the direct primary mode. The second one is in direct primary and the third one is the consensus mode. So it’s up to the leadership of the party but if I would speak for myself, I would say definitely it cannot be the consensus. I don’t see that happening. As of my last count, at least seven people had obtained the nomination form and expression of interest form.The form is not closed yet meaning that anytime between now and the 11th of January, there could be more applicants coming to join the race. So in that kind of a situation, you don’t push for a consensus unless it is coming from within and among the aspirants themselves.
“So the two other modes that will then appear to be open are either the direct or the indirect mode of primary. If you ask me as an individual, what is my preference? I would say any day, I would prefer the direct mode of primaries. Just because one, for me, it is a way of ensuring participatory democracy, which makes it possible for every card-carrying member of the party to participate in the decision-making process. It also helps to ensure that the most popular aspirant emerges which also gives a lot of impetus to the rank-and-file members of the party who feel proud that they were part of the decision-making process and that it was their decision that carry the day. That instantly gives them the enthusiasm that is needed for them to be able to even actively participate in the general election campaign, that’s my preference. That’s my choice. It does not really mean that if the party chooses the indirect mode of primaries or any other one, it will not foreclose me from participating. But as an individual, that is my preference but I believe direct primaries is a way of giving power back to the people. Basically, the refusal of Mr President to sign (Electoral Act) also is not because the President is fundamentally opposed to the direct mode of primaries because of some logistics concerns. But the good thing about it is if you do direct primaries in an isolated election holding in Ekiti or holding in Osun which would be the only election in the country by the time it is holding, I don’t think that’s a kind of logistic concern that would offset anything or cause pain for anyone. So, I really feel that the leadership of the party will take whatever decision that is in the best interest of the party.”
Bamidele expressed confidence that he has what it takes to emerge victorious at the scheduled January primary.
