House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila says he chose to support the use of direct primary for nomination of political parties’ candidates for elections because it enables accountability and effective representation in the polity.
Addressing a delegation of Nigerian youths, led by Youths and Sport Minister Sunday Dare, the Speaker said the use use of direct primary to elect candidates for elections would ensure that political office holders would work for the interest of their party members, and, by extension, the electorate.
The Speaker noted that many Nigerians, especially the youth, want to participate fully in the election of those to represent them from the grassroots level, hence his resolve to canvass the direct primary mode of election.
He expressed preference for a situation where the political space is opened for all, including the youth, to participate fully.
He said: “If I know that my return will depend on some few men, I may care about you. But if I know that my return will depend on my accountability and representation to the people, I will do the right thing. “It is important for this generation to open the door of leadership for the next generation. We must allow every Nigerian to participate fully in the process of leadership. I, therefore, stand with direct primary.”
