Ex-Lawmaker Backs APC Direct Primaries for 2027 Elections

In Nigeria's political landscape, the push for internal party democracy is a recurring theme, and former lawmaker Nicholas Ossai's endorsement of direct primaries for the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a significant development. Ossai, who has submitted his nomination forms to vie for the Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani Federal Constituency seat, champions direct primaries as the true embodiment of participatory democracy.

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The most democratic aspects of the lawmaking and the clause that the current 10th Assembly has put in place is the direct primary. The APC National Working Committee has aligned with the direct primary option.

Ossai's stance aligns with the APC National Working Committee's reported adoption of direct primaries. He articulates that this method empowers ordinary party members, fostering a sense of ownership and fulfillment when candidates emerge victorious through their votes. This approach, he suggests, is crucial for strengthening the party's internal democratic processes and ensuring that elected officials remain accountable to the grassroots.

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I think direct primary brings about what we call participatory democracy. On that participatory democracy, you will see that whoever emerges victorious, there’s always that joy that you receive when a lot of those who voted for you from the beginning were party members.

His return to the House of Representatives is motivated by a desire to complete unfinished work and address the pressing needs of his constituents. Ossai, who previously represented the constituency, frames his move to the APC as a strategic political maneuver, symbolized by the party's 'broom' logo, which he equates to a 'revolution' aimed at dismantling perceived weaknesses in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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Today, I have a desire to come back to the Green Chamber, not the Red Chamber, to be able to address some of the needs of my people.

From a Nigerian perspective, the debate over primary election methods is not merely procedural; it touches upon the very fabric of political representation and accountability. Direct primaries, while potentially more inclusive, can also be susceptible to manipulation and logistical challenges. Ossai's advocacy, therefore, highlights a broader conversation within Nigerian politics about how to best ensure that political parties serve as genuine vehicles for democratic participation and effective governance, rather than mere platforms for elite contestation.

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The broom is the revolution.