By Nofisat Marindoti
A group of Observers who monitored the Governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State of Osun conducted yesterday, has recommended the direct primary system for other political parties and subsequent primaries in the country.
The group, Comrade Olaoni Centre for Social Research in collaboration with Coalition of Civil Societies in Osun state, made the recommendation at a press conference in Osogbo, on Saturday.
The press conference was jointly addressed by Comrade Wale Adebisi, Comrade Amitolu Shittu and Comrade Waheed Lawal.
The group stressed that the direct primary as observed in Osun, reduced manipulation and inducement of voters with money as experienced in the past exercises.
“From all variables and indices available to us on the field, the direct primary is actually the best so as to encourage internal, all inclusive democracy, because every party members is involved.
“It eliminates the emerging trend where aspirants camped delegates and bribe each with huge amount of money. It also eliminates manipulation to a large extent.
“We hereby encourage every other political parties to embrace this process of direct party primary so as to improve the Internal democracy of the party politics which will gradually reduce the issue of financial inducement.
“Direct primary election process truly attests to the fact that democracy is truly for the people. Regardless of all shortcomings and drawbacks observed during the exercise, the process is still the best because it is transparent, free and fair.”
