BREAKING: Direct Primaries: Reps Invite INEC Chairman Over ‘N500bn’ Cost Implications
The House of Representatives has called Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, to address the budgetary implications of political parties conducting direct primaries in the country.
Rep. Leke Abejide, who represents the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa-Muro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, submitted a resolution of urgent public interest during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.
Yakubu is scheduled to testify before the Appropriations and Electoral Matters Committees.
Abejide drew attention to the rumor circulating that conducting direct primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections will cost over N500 billion in the motion, which was unanimously adopted at the session presided over by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2021, which is currently pending before the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to be decided by the cost implications (retd.).
Direct primaries were included in the bill as a method of selecting political party candidates for elections.
He noted that, as the umpire overseeing both political party primaries and general elections, INEC is in the greatest position to clear the air on the cost implications of direct primaries.
Abedeji added, “We all know the importance of direct primaries.
“Some people say it will cost N500bn. This is mere speculation because the cost of direct primaries may be within the budget of INEC.”
He stated that the best time to invite Yakubu would be now that the 2022 budget was still pending before the National Assembly.
He explained that this would help the legislature to decide on appropriate budgeting.
Giving his directive after the motion was passed, Speaker Gbajabiamila said, “Committees on INEC and Appropriation, please invite the INEC chairman so that he can give us the possible cost implications of direct primaries.”
