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Political parties

Imminent Exclusion of Statutory Delegates: A Critical Threat to Party Democracy in Nigeria's 2023 Presidential Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the National Conventions for the election of presidential candidates of political parties approach, a looming controversy is brewing over the exclusion of statutory delegates from the primary elections process, threatening to undermine the very foundation of party democracy in Nigeria. The omission, which was inadvertently made in the 2022 Electoral Act, has left statutory delegates, including party executives and elective public office holders, feeling shut out and potentially disenfranchised. This development has sparked widespread concern, particularly among party executives, who rely on the primary elections process for their livelihood and influence within the party.

Key Takeaways:

  • Section 84(8) of the 2022 Electoral Act, passed by the National Assembly, inadvertently excluded statutory delegates from participating in primary elections, citing the need for democratic election of delegates.
  • The omission has left statutory delegates, including party executives and elective public office holders, feeling disenfranchised and potentially impacting their livelihood and influence within the party.
  • The APC and PDP, two major political parties, have adopted indirect primaries for the selection of their presidential candidates, relying on the elected ad-hoc delegates and statutory delegates.
  • Although President Buhari may later assent to the amended bill, the current exclusion of statutory delegates may lead to a significant reduction in the number of delegates participating in the National Conventions of both parties.
  • The PDP has already conducted primaries for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate, using only ad-hoc delegates, sparking criticism from party executives.
  • The 9th National Assembly faces criticism for the costly omission made in section 84(8) of the 2022 Electoral Act, which may impact the validity of the primary elections.

Statistics:

  • According to section 84(8) of the Act, only 1548 ad-hoc delegates (2 national delegates \* 774 local government councils) will decide the PDP's presidential candidate if President Buhari does not sign the amended bill.
  • For the APC, only 2,322 ad-hoc delegates (3 delegates \* 774 local government councils) will decide the fate of its 25 presidential aspirants if the President refuses to sign the amended bill.
  • However, if the President signs the amended bill, the number of delegates to participate in the National Conventions of both parties will increase to between 6,000 and 8,000 plus.

Sources:

  • ODEWALE, TAIYE. "Meaning of Party Primaries." Written by TAIYE ODEWALE for an article on imminent exclusion of statutory delegates.
  • "11th hour damage control by both chambers on section 84(8) of the Act by adding statutory delegates to it for the purposes of their participation in the primary election exercise along with other elective public office holders."
  • "Realities at hand Though President Buhari may later assent to the amended bill before the national conventions of the two major political parties where their Presidential candidates will emerge but non-inclusion of statutory delegates in section 84(8) at the beginning by the National Assembly and non detection of the blunder by President Buhari at the point of signing, are already causing serious problems for the parties."

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