Ending indirect primaries in new Electoral Act will put moneybags out of business – Opeyemi Bamidele

Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, says the 2026 Electoral Act will curb the influence of wealthy political actors in party primaries.

He added that the new law, which limits the nomination of candidates to direct primaries or consensus, is aimed at strengthening internal democracy within political parties.

The senate leader shared this on Easter Sunday in a statement issued by the directorate of media and public affairs in his office.

Bamidele, who served on the senate committee on electoral matters, said the legislation was the outcome of consultations with stakeholders and not unilateral decisions by the national assembly.

He was reacting to allegations by opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), thatprovisions of the electoral act were introduced to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The opposition had criticised section 77(1–7) of the act, which requires political parties to submit a digital register of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

They also faulted section 84(1–3), which restricts the procedure for the nomination of candidates to direct primaries or consensus.

Bamidele said the provision on direct primaries was deliberately introduced to prevent the delegate system from being manipulated.

“The provision is intentional and not self-serving,” he said.

“It aims at ending a delegate system that compromises the interests of the majority and strengthens the arms of the moneybags to hijack the primaries.”

He said the reform is intended to give ordinary party members greater control over the nomination of candidates.

“With the new system, we hope all party members can participate in the nomination of candidates for all elective positions transparently,” he said.

“The final decision is now in the hands of party members. It is no longer a process where aspirants openly display cash at the venues of party primaries to compromise delegates.”

Bamidele also defended the provision requiring political parties to maintain a digital membership register.

He said the measure is consistent with global democratic standards and would promote transparency in party administration.

“The register is to prevent powerful individuals, who are unknown to a political party, from hijacking its decision-making process,” he said.

Bamidele added that political actors should respect the rules governing the country’s electoral system.

He also condemned recent armed attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states, urging Nigerians to emulate the virtues of sacrifice and tolerance associated with the Easter season.(TheCable)