National Assembly to APC, Presidency, Governors: No going back on Direct Primaries
An extended tripartite committee of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday met to discuss and resolve topical issues, particularly party primaries.
The meeting, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, was chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).
President Muhammadu Buhari had in August 2020 established a Tripartite Consultative Committee of the Executive, Legislature and Leadership of the APC with a view to fostering cordial and beneficial relationship among all.
The National Assembly, on Tuesday, passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021. Tuesday’s meeting had in addition to members of the tripartite committee representatives of APC governors and members of the National Assembly.
Governor Yayaha Bello Kogi State, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting, said the critical issues were resolved.
Bello said: “The takeaway is that the topical issues have been resolved.
“The legislature, the executive and our party.
“So it is a good resolution.
“I don’t think any legislator or anybody whatsoever as far as APC is concerned is afraid or has any reservation about any mode of primaries.
“The only concern is the implication of having only one option.
“In case an option fails, what happens?
“If for instance INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) sets a date for an election and say it is sacrosanct.
“For instance, today is September 9.
“If INEC is suppose to conduct election today and it says that day is sacrosanct, under no circumstance should it be shifted and a circumstance beyond your control arises, what do you do?
“It means there will be no election.
“Then, you are calling for anarchy.
“That is just the only concern of our people.
“And I think we are taking that head on and I think we are going to be good for whatever decision that will be taken at the end of the day.”
The governor said he belonged to the executive arm of the government and would not subscribe to meddling with the affairs of the legislature.
Bello said whatever decision the legislature had taken might have been …
