2023: CDD backs direct primaries, calls for Buhari’s assent to electoral bill

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill 2021 into law, saying such would represent the most significant legacy of his presidency. The CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, said in a statement yesterday that the proposals in the Electoral Bill 2021 will improve the nation’s electoral system. […]

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill 2021 into law, saying such would represent the most significant legacy of his presidency.

The CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, said in a statement yesterday that the proposals in the Electoral Bill 2021 will improve the nation’s electoral system.

“The next critical step that must be taken is for the assenting into law the Electoral Bill 2021, particularly as we head to two off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states in 2022 and the 2023 general election.

“In addition, the direct primary method for candidate selection proposed in the bill will improve internal party democracy by strengthening party membership.

“The poor internal processes are largely responsible for the weakness of political parties in Nigeria and have an adverse effect on the country’s governance system.

“With the direct primary election, every registered member of the party will directly determine their candidate. This, CDD believes, will reduce the floodgates of litigation that usually trail the idea of consensus or imposition of candidates by political godfathers and party owners,” she said.