EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu directs APC NWC to conduct direct primary elections

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress to conduct direct primary elections in cases where consensus among aspirants cannot be peacefully reached.

A source close to the party leadership confirmed to Western Post that President Tinubu advised the NWC to ensure there is no acrimony within the party and imposition of candidates that may arise as a result of abuse of consensus option by vested interests.

“The President was very clear that the party must avoid unnecessary conflict. He does not want a situation where candidates are forced on members under the guise of consensus,” the source said.

Another party insider added that Tinubu stressed the importance of fairness and inclusivity in the process.

“He told the National Chairman and the NWC that internal democracy must be protected. Where consensus fails, direct primaries should be the way forward to give all members a voice,” the source noted.

Direct primaries are a method of candidate selection in which all registered members of a political party participate in voting to choose their flagbearer, as opposed to indirect primaries where only selected delegates vote.

Under the amended Electoral Act 2022 and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties are permitted to adopt direct, indirect, or consensus methods, according to Section 84(2).

However, the law requires parties to give INEC prior notice of their primaries, allow the commission to monitor the exercise, and ensure that the process is transparent, democratic, and based on a verifiable membership register. In cases of consensus, the law stipulates that all aspirants must voluntarily agree in writing; otherwise, a primary election must be conducted.