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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said President Muhammadu Buhari is in support of the direct mode of selecting candidates for elections by political parties.
He said this while speaking with State House Correspondents in Abuja after meeting with the President, said Buhari supported direct primary.
According to him, the President is product of direct primary because of his popularity, noting that he has opened up the political space for the youths to participate.
Gbajabiamila added that the indirect primary has not helped the growth of democracy.
He gave the assurance that the President would sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
Gbajabiamila said: “If I tell you we didn’t discuss the Electoral Act amendment, which is what I am sure you are asking about, if I tell you we didn’t discuss that, I will be lying to you.
“We had a very robust discussion and our position is known to the President.”
Speaking on the position of the National Assembly, Gbajabiamila added: “Are you not aware that the National Assembly has passed the direct primary and electronic transmission of election results? That is the position of the National Assembly. It has passed through both Houses.
“We have passed the law. The official position of House of Representatives and the Senate, we are for direct primary. We are for empowering the people at the grassroots level. Let everybody participate in governance.
“Democracy is defined as a government of the people, for the people and by the people. ‘People’ is used three times in that definition. And it doesn’t start from general elections. It starts from primaries. So, we have made it very clear abundantly.”
Gbajabiamila added “It (indirect primary) has been like that for a long time and it’s not helping our democracy. It is not growing and deepening our democracy.
“We have passed Not Too Young To Run Bill, which the President was very happy to be a part of because he wants to encourage young eople. But it’s just a bill on paper.
“You pass Not Too Young To Run Bill, but at the same time, you close the space for the young ones for whom you have passed Not Too Young To Run Bill.
“You have continued with your indirect primaries. How will the young people get involved? Now, they have a chance with the direct primaries.
“You have opened up the space and they can get in and mobilise themselves and if they are popular enough, they win the election. They are not dependent on any godfather”.
The Speaker said that he disagreed with Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, who said that direct primary would be too expensive for political parties
He said: “I have heard that argument about cost. And this is what I have to say: do you put a price tag on democracy? I don’t think you should.
“What is too much and what is too little to buy freedom and democracy? I don’t think you should put a price tag on it. So, how much will be okay for him? He should tell us how much will be okay for him.”
