The Nigerian Senate has rescinded its earlier decision on making direct primaries the only method of electing candidates by political parties.

At the resumption of its session on Wednesday, the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abubakar, asked his colleagues to rescind the Chamber’s decision on clause 84 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021, passed by the National Assembly on November 18, 2021.

Accordingly, the chamber in Clause 84(2) of the report approved direct, indirect primaries or consensus as procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions.

It also approved the recommended Clause 84(3) that “a political party that adopts the direct primaries procedure shall ensure that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the part.”

Clause 84(4) further provides that “a political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall adopt the procedure outlined below; (a) In the case of nominations to the position of Presidential candidate, a political party shall, (i) hold special conventions in each of the 36 states of the federation and FCT, where delegates shall vote for each of the aspirants at designated centers in each State Capital on specified dates.”

The clause provides that a National Convention shall be held for the ratification of the candidate with the highest number of votes.

The amendment followed a motion for its re-commital to the Committee of the Whole.

The motion was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

The Senate Leader, in his presentation, recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had signified withholding his assent on the Electoral Act No. 6 2010 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2021 which was passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to the President on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Senator Abdullahi noted that the rationale for withholding assent bordered on his observation in Clause 84.

President Buhari in the letter dated December 13, 2021, and addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had explained that his decision to withhold assent to the electoral bill was informed by advice from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government after a thorough review.

According to the President, signing the bill into law would have serious adverse legal, financial, economic, and security consequences on the country, particularly in view of Nigeria’s peculiarities.

He added that it would also impact negatively the rights of citizens to participate in government as constitutionally ensured.

Senator Abdullahi, however, explained that the motion for re-commital of the bill to the Committee, on the Whole, was against the backdrop of the “need to address the observation by Mr. President C-in-C and make necessary amendment in accordance with Order 87(c) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022 (as amended); and relying on order 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022 ( as amended).”

Accordingly, the chamber rescinded its decision on the affected Clause of the Bill as passed and recommit same to the Committee of the While for consideration and passage.

The direct primary clause had earlier hindered the assent to the bill, however, President Muhammadu Buhari in an exclusive interview with Channels Television, earlier this year, said that he was willing to sign if only the legislators will effect changes which must include the addition of consensus candidates and indirect primary options to the mode of selecting a candidate for an election.

Chief Whip of the Senate Orji Uzor Kalu has said it is overdue for the country to have a President of Igbo extraction, expressing optimism that in 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor will be Igbo.

The former Abia governor spoke on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja.

The frontline presidential aspirant noted that he has to push with other regions to ensure that Igbo president happens.

He said, “It is overdue, I believe that we should produce the next President and it is going to happen. I don’t need to push, I have to push along with the other regions.”

He also took a swipe at those who have already declared to contest as President of the country ahead of the 2023 general and Presidential elections, saying those persons are not serious.

The Senator representing Abia North said that he does not believe in Igbo Presidency, but believes in Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, just as he declared that if the Presidency is zoned to the southeast geo-political zone of the country, he has everything it takes for him to vie for the most exalted position in the land.

The lawmaker emphasized that he has not started consulting ahead of his formal declaration for the position of the President of the country, said, “Well they are pushing but they are not serious, a serious-minded person will like to be fair to Nigeria, fair to the society and to be fair to the atmosphere, because the party is not owned by me or you the media.

“This party is owned by Nigerians and the APC members. It is only APC that can decide like at the forthcoming convention where the Presidential ticket will be zoned to. If they zone it to the south-east I have everything it takes to make a good President.”

READ ALSO: 2023 Presidency: I’m Satisfied With Our Discussion, Says Sen. Kalu After Meeting With Buhari

On his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday night, Kalu said, “This is not the first time I go to see the president, Presidency is a place where people go in the afternoon, I went in the night to avoid the media. I go there regularly it is a family affair and I went there to discuss national issues, issues of security, the issue of well being of our country, and issue of the electoral act. The discussion was very fruitful and it was held in the night, is that why you should come to ambush me?

When asked if he informed President Buhari of intention to contest for the Presidency, Orji Kalu said, “Did the party zone the 2023 presidency to the South West, I told you before that when the party zones it officially to the south. I told you the only two zones that have not tasted the presidency are the southeast and the Northeast, once they zone it to anyone of them I have the capacity and the capability I will roll and I will rock like a hurricane.”