Controversy on Direct Primaries Shouldn’t scuttle passage of Electoral Bill – Saraki
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has cautioned that debate on propriety or otherwise concerning the passage of direct primary for political parties by the National Assembly must not be allowed to scuttle the electoral bill.
Saraki, who spoke with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Sunday on the sideline of the 9th memorial prayer for his late father, Dr Olusola Saraki, held at the family’s Ilofa road residence, GRA, Ilorin, said the important thing is for President Muhammadu Buhari to give his assent to the electoral bill for the benefit of Nigerians.
He said: “Direct Primaries option is best for political parties if properly done. But, I am sure Nigerians are not prepared for it because their is still a lot of work to be done.
“But now that the National Assembly has passed it, we should make the best out of the situation rather than allowing the controversy over just an item to throw away the other good parts of the bill.
“What is important, is for the President to assent to it and enable Nigerians benefit from the other parts.”
On the performance of the PDP at the recent election in Anambra where the party came a distant third, Saraki noted that the exercise was a success for Nigeria and democracy.
“The Anambra election was a success story for Nigeria because many of us were sceptical that it would hold.
“But it not only held, it was peaceful and credible and we commend INEC for bringing in technology which we had advocated to improve our electoral process.
“Yes, there are still some works that needed to be done, no doubt, but we can improve on that for the next election to be better. People can now say we are having elections that are closer to best practices. That election was a good day for democracy, Nigerians and Nigeria and we thank the security agencies also for a good job,” he added.
Saraki said the PDP has demonstrated the capacity and leadership qualities to deliver the country with the way its leaders reconciled themselves to hold the National Convention.
The former Senate President described his late father as a selfless leader who Nigerians should take a cue from in the light of the country’s sorry pass.
An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dan Borno, in his sermon, described late Saraki as a star who was a benefactor to a lot of people and, therefore, urged his children and beneficiaries of late Saraki’s legacies not to allow his footprints die in vain.
For his part, Sheikh Aduagba advised Saraki to continue to serve the people with his resources and positions as exemplified by his late father.
He said Saraki should not abandon his followers, adding that the people have since returned to him having realised their mistake.