2019: Why all states should adopt direct primaries – APC chieftain, Jacob

Alhaji Yakubu Muhammed Jacob, a stalwart of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Yobe State, has called on the national leadership of
the party and other key stakeholders to ensure that all states adopt
direct primaries ahead of the 2019 election.

In a statement on Wednesday, Jacob noted that direct party primaries
will help APC to consolidate its strength and ensure justice and
fairness for party aspirants and members.

The APC chieftain was reacting to the decision of the Lagos chapter to
conduct direct primary elections for all positions.

He said: "It is good that the National Leader of our great party
Senator Bola Tinubu has announced that party primaries in Lagos will
be direct. He has shown leadership and commitment to putting the power
of choosing leaders fully in the hands of the people.

"It is our hope that all states, especially where APC has a stronghold
will follow the footsteps of Lagos and ensure direct primary
elections.

"Direct governorship primary election conducted in Osun state had set
the pace. What happened in Osun had shown it is possible and can work
across all states.

"Now that Lagos state is also going to pick candidates through direct
primary elections shows the system can work and will ensure that power
rightly belongs to the people, not some few handpicked individuals
called 'delegates'."

Muhammed added that the option is the only way of sustaining harmony
within the party, pointing out that on many occasions disagreements
from the way and manner party primaries are conducted are the major
cause of internal conflicts.

"We want direct party primaries to be the new policy across all
states. We want direct party primaries in Yobe state.

"Party leadership must insist and keep to the new direction of the
leadership under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole which places more priority
on transparency and putting people at the centre of policies. This is
also in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's politics of people
first.

"Direct primary elections will also boost party membership as more
people will be more interested in registering as members if they know
that they have a chance to use their membership to decide who would
lead them at levels of governance."