Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Nigerian Senate Leader, has insisted that while consensus remains an option in party politics, it must strictly comply with democratic procedures outlined in Nigeria’s electoral laws.
Bamidele made this known on Monday, May 4, in Abuja after submitting his All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and nomination forms for re-election.
The Senator, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, explained that the Electoral Act provides for different modes of selecting candidates, including direct primaries and consensus arrangements.
However, he emphasized that all candidates must still go through a formal primary process.
According to him, even in situations where there is only one aspirant or where stakeholders agree on a consensus candidate, participation at the ward level remains mandatory.
He added that consensus should reflect a broad agreement among stakeholders and not be used to bypass established procedures.
Where any disagreement arises, he noted, the law requires that a direct primary be conducted.
Addressing concerns about disputes linked to consensus arrangements in some areas, including Ekiti State, Bamidele, acknowledged that the approach has not been uniformly successful.
Drawing from his own experience, he said stakeholders in his constituency had endorsed his candidacy based on his performance, adding that no other aspirant had obtained nomination forms.
He, however, maintained that such outcomes may differ across constituencies and stressed that all interested aspirants must be allowed to participate.
Bamidele concluded by reaffirming that adherence to democratic principles must guide all party primaries, regardless of internal arrangements.
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