President Bola Tinubu has advocated for the adoption of direct primaries by political parties to ensure active member participation in selecting candidates.
Speaking at an interfaith Iftar dinner at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday where he hosted members of the APC National Working Committee and the Inter-Party Advisory Council(IPAC), to discuss the future of the nation’s electoral systems.
During the gathering, the president characterized his own emergence as Nigeria’s leader as a divine assignment. He reflected on the political history, citing his years of exile and his role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) as necessary sacrifices that shaped his path to the presidency.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasized that direct primaries would foster a more inclusive democratic process by allowing every card-carrying member to have a say in their party’s leadership.
He thereby urged political leaders to focus on strengthening internal systems and upholding the rule of law as the bedrock of national unity.
Responding to concerns raised by IPAC regarding the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the requirement for National Identification Numbers (NIN) in membership registers, the President maintained that his administration is committed to fair and transparent electoral institutions.
He urged all political actors to prioritize the preservation of democratic values over individual ambitions as the country moves forward.
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