APC Primaries: The Unravelling of Direct Primaries -By John Kokome

The romanticism around “direct primaries” as a democratic ideal in Nigeria’s political parties has by now faded, if not fully vanished. In the All Progressives Congress (APC), in particular, what was originally promoted as a grassroots revolution in candidate selection has increasingly become a spectacle of misunderstanding, manipulation, and, in many cases, pure farce.

Direct primaries have an attractive theory. It guarantees inclusivity by allowing each registered party member to choose who will fly the party’s flag. This strategy appeared to provide a route to internal democracy in a political system that is frequently dominated by backroom deals and godfathers. However, as the recent APC primaries have demonstrated, theory is one thing and practice is quite another.

Reports from the APC primaries in a number of states portrayed an unsettling picture: alleged inflated membership registers, contradicting delegate lists, parallel voting sessions, and the unexpected emergence of “ghost voters.” In certain cases, results were released even though there had been no legitimate voting. Party officials publicly argued about who had truly won in other cases. Instead, what ought to have been an open, collaborative process turned into a battlefield of conflicting interests and chaotic procedures.

The underlying question at the core of the issue is whether a party that has trouble with membership verification and basic record-keeping can legitimately hold a direct primary. Based on current circumstances, it seems that the answer is no. The whole basis of direct primaries falls apart in the absence of a trustworthy and verified membership database. Who precisely is casting a ballot? How are they verified? And who makes sure local power brokers don’t take over the process?

Additionally, direct primaries’ logistical requirements are wildly overestimated. It takes a lot of planning, funding, and supervision to conduct elections in hundreds of wards. However, the APC frequently seemed unprepared for the scope of the task. Confusion was exacerbated by reports of contradictory procedures, the lack of electoral officers, and delayed material arrivals. What came out was more of a jumbled show than a democratic process.

The problem of Nigerian political culture and human nature extends beyond logistics. Theoretically, direct primaries reduce the power of elites in politics. In reality, though, they frequently just move the battlefield. Nowadays, candidates aim to dominate entire ward organisations rather than just a few delegates. Instead of less manipulation, the outcome is more varied and occasionally more chaotic forms of it. Coercion, intimidation, and vote-buying do not go away; they simply take on new forms.

It is also important to note that the results of these faulty procedures never inspire trust. Candidates who win such contentious primaries frequently have their legitimacy questioned. In the end, this damages the party’s chances in the general election, erodes party unity, and increases post-primary litigation. Internal democracy is ultimately undermined by a procedure intended to strengthen it.

To be clear, the concept of direct primaries itself is not the issue. It can in fact increase involvement in more structured political settings with strong institutions and well-defined regulations. However, rather than accurately reflecting the wishes of party members, it runs the potential of becoming a vehicle for legitimising preset outcomes in the contemporary Nigerian climate.

What is the next step, then? Political parties must first acknowledge that procedure is just as important as principle. Direct primaries must be supported by reliable membership lists, precise operating norms, and impartial oversight procedures if they are to be kept. The exercise will continue to be susceptible to misuse without these.

Second, it would be worthwhile to reevaluate other models, including indirect primaries or hybrid systems, which, despite their imperfections, might provide more short-term manageability and accountability. Practical credibility rather than intellectual purity should be the aim.

Lastly, party leadership needs to show that they have the political will to uphold the law and punish infractions. Regardless of the main structure in place, the cycle of impunity will continue if there are no repercussions.

More than just choosing candidates, the recent APC primaries have revealed the structural flaws in direct primaries in Nigeria’s existing political system. If anything, they should serve as a warning: democracy is about making sure that participation is meaningful, legitimate, and equitable rather than just increasing it.

Direct primaries might continue to be more of a stage for political antics than a sign of democratic advancement until those requirements are satisfied.

John Kokome
A Communications Strategist and Public Affairs Analyst writes from Lagos
kokomejohn@yahoo.com