Ex-Benue AG Warns Against Scrapping Indirect Primaries

Mr. Alex Ter Adum, the former Attorney General of Benue State, has expressed concerns regarding the recent amendment to Nigeria's electoral law that eliminates indirect primaries as a method for selecting political party candidates.

In an exclusive interview, he warned that this change could worsen godfatherism and manipulation within party nomination processes as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. Adum highlighted that the amendment leaves political parties with only two extreme options: direct primaries and consensus, which may not yield the best candidates.

He cited the 2023 governorship primaries in Benue State, where discrepancies in voter turnout raised questions about the credibility of direct primaries. Adum argued that while indirect primaries have their issues, they provide a balance and inclusivity that direct primaries lack.

He cautioned that the reliance on consensus arrangements could empower political figures to control candidate selection, undermining internal democracy and potentially leading to increased litigation and disputes during the primaries.