APGA Chairman Urges Return to Indirect Primaries Ahead of 2027 Polls
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reintroduce indirect primary elections for political parties. His appeal, made on Channels Television’s Politics Today, highlights ongoing debates over electoral procedures as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Ezeokenwa argued that while INEC successfully conducted elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, the logistical demands of direct primaries—where all registered party members vote—pose a significant challenge, particularly for smaller parties. He referenced the position of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), which contends that the current legislative framework favoring direct primaries disadvantages less-resourced parties.
“The major challenge is the logistics associated with the conduct of direct primaries,” Ezeokenwa stated. He pointed to the scale required for a presidential nomination, which would involve organizing voting across Nigeria’s over 8,800 wards. According to APGA, the cost, security, and administrative burdens of such an exercise are prohibitive for many parties.
Indirect primaries involve delegates electing candidates, a method traditionally seen as less logistically intensive but more susceptible to internal party maneuvering. Direct primaries are viewed as more democratic but require substantial funding and organizational capacity.
Ezeokenwa’s request aligns with IPAC’s lobbying effort to amend the Electoral Act, seeking a return to the indirect mode. The party leader emphasized that this is not about avoiding member participation but about practicality and leveling the playing field. The debate underscores a tension between inclusivity and feasibility in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The outcome of this push will depend on the National Assembly, which has the authority to review the primary election framework. As political activities intensify for 2027, the mode of candidate selection remains a critical issue for party cohesion, operational planning, and the overall credibility of the electoral cycle. INEC’s stance will also be pivotal, as the commission is responsible for providing guidelines to political parties.
