Governor Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, has debunked insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to veto the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 was due to pressure from governors.
The Ekiti State Governor spoke to State House correspondents on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, after a meeting with the president.
He said governors were not afraid of direct primary.
Fayemi said he has benefited from direct primary, just like the President.
Asked whether governors were happy that President Buhari did not sign the bill into law, Fayemi said: “I don’t know what you mean by governor’s being happy.
“At least as the governor who has gone through a series of elections, my election to the office during my first term was via a direct primary that took place in all the 177 wards in my state. And my election to my second term in office was via an indirect primary.
“So, I’ve tasted both and I can tell you that it really doesn’t matter to any governor whether you have primaries via direct mode or an indirect mode.
“The governor’s interest and concern are for opportunities to be given for an inclusive process and I think that is what Mr. President’s letter has brought out.
“Mr. President has not objected to direct primaries, neither has he endorsed indirect primaries.
“He has only said, be fair to all, let all options apply and what you decide should be determined by your own local and peculiar circumstances, being mindful of questions of security, finances, and internal democracy.
“So, I think we all should commend the courage of Mr. President to stand with the people.
“And the President, you know, just like me, is not afraid of whatever mode you decide to use.
“When I chaired the primaries, the historic primaries that brought him in as a presidential candidate, I was the chair of that primaries in 2014, it was an indirect primary.
“But in 2019, when he was coming back, he came back via a direct primary. So, Mr. President has also tasted both. And I don’t think he’s somebody to be lectured about the pros and cons of either process.”
