By | YOUNG, D
The signing of the Electoral Act 2026 marks a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic process. For the first time, the law gives political parties clear statutory backing to choose between two nomination paths. Direct primaries and consensus. This choice will shape how candidates emerge and how voters relate to political parties across Nigeria, writes DESTINY YOUNG.
Direct primaries are the more disruptive option. Under this model, every registered party member has the right to vote in the selection of candidates. Power moves away from a narrow group of party leaders and towards the wider membership. This single shift has deep implications for internal party democracy and the quality of electoral competition.
First, direct primaries weaken the long standing culture of anointed candidates. In many parties, incumbents or favoured aspirants have traditionally emerged through closed-door arrangements. Party structures were often used to legitimise decisions already taken by a few powerful actors. Direct primaries make this approach harder to sustain. A popular aspirant with strong grassroots support can challenge an incumbent, even without elite backing. Popularity and mobilisation begin to matter more than proximity to power.
Second, direct primaries reward political engagement at the base. Aspirants must speak directly to party members rather than focus only on governors, ministers, or party financiers. This encourages broader consultation and issue-driven campaigns within parties. Over time, it can improve political literacy among members, since their votes now carry real weight in determining candidates.
Third, direct primaries increase the legitimacy of candidates. When party members feel ownership of the selection process, they are more likely to support the eventual nominee during the general election. This can reduce internal sabotage and post primary litigation, which have often weakened parties before national polls. A candidate chosen by thousands of members stands on firmer moral and political ground than one imposed through internal arrangements.
There are also institutional effects. Direct primaries place pressure on parties to maintain credible membership registers, this is where the recently concluded APC e-membership registration proves postive. Inflated or manipulated registers become harder to defend when every name translates into a potential vote. This could push parties towards better internal administration and transparency. It also creates incentives for parties to grow genuine membership rather than paper structures.
However, direct primaries are not without risks. They are costly to organise, especially for parties with large national footprints. There is also the challenge of security and logistics, particularly in areas with weak state presence. If poorly managed, direct primaries can create disputes over results and allegations of exclusion. These risks mean that strong internal rules and oversight are essential.
Consensus, by contrast, preserves elite bargaining. It can promote unity where aspirants genuinely agree to step down for a single candidate. In practice, however, consensus has often masked coercion rather than consent. The new law attempts to correct this by insisting on voluntary withdrawal. Even so, consensus remains vulnerable to pressure and influence, especially in a political culture shaped by patronage.
If a party adopts direct primaries in good faith, the future of elections could change significantly. Candidates would emerge from competition rather than selection. Incumbency would no longer guarantee nomination. Voters would see clearer links between party democracy and national leadership. Over time, this could rebuild trust in the political process and make elections more meaningful.
The Electoral Act 2026 does not force parties down one path. It offers a choice. The real test lies in how parties use that choice. Direct primaries, if sincerely implemented, have the capacity to break the grip of the anointed system and open the space for popular leadership to rise. That possibility alone makes this moment significant for Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
Destiny Young, a contemporary development analyst and political communication expert, writes from Uyo
