ZLP Chairman Rejects Mandatory Direct Primaries Policy

ZLP Chairman Rejects Mandatory Direct Primaries Policy

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dan Nwanyanwu, has rejected the provision of the 2026 Electoral Act mandating political parties to adopt direct primaries or consensus in selecting candidates, describing it as an undue interference in party affairs.

Nwanyanwu made his position known on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with journalists after a consultative meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with leaders of political parties on the review of its regulations and guidelines.

He noted that while the meeting was largely productive, with most of the issues discussed already familiar to political parties, the aspect relating to compulsory direct primaries remains contentious.

“What INEC discussed are mostly things we already know. It is like a reminder to political parties on how to conduct their affairs and primaries in a democratic way. It was a good meeting within the framework of the law,” he said.

However, he faulted Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, insisting that the decision on how candidates are nominated should be left entirely to political parties.

“IPAC is opposed to this amendment. How a political party chooses its candidates is its internal function. The National Assembly should not impose a method on parties,” Nwanyanwu said.

He disclosed that some political parties have already approached the court to challenge the provision, expressing optimism that it would not stand.

“These processes are already captured in the constitutions and guidelines of political parties. You cannot just wake up and begin to alter them arbitrarily. If it is not broken, why fix it?” he added.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sadiq Umar Abubakar, commended INEC for creating a platform for engagement, describing the meeting as robust and inclusive.

“We are happy with the way the meeting was conducted. It was engaging, and political parties were able to make their positions clear,” he said.

Abubakar pointed out that some concerns raised by parties, particularly regarding timelines for submission of membership registers, were addressed during the meeting.

He explained that INEC had initially proposed a fixed deadline in April but later clarified that submissions would now align with the Electoral Act, requiring parties to submit their registers 21 days before their respective primaries.

“That clarification makes it more practical because it will now depend on when each party plans to conduct its primaries,” he said.

The development comes amid growing debate over the implications of the new Electoral Act, with many stakeholders warning that certain provisions could limit internal democracy and complicate preparations for the 2027 general elections.