By Ukpa Ewa
A civic advocate Prince Chris Azor, has called for greater attention to party primaries in Nigeria, describing them as the most critical stage in determining the credibility of the country’s democratic process.
Azor said that while general elections often attract public focus, the real decisions are largely made during party primaries, where candidates emerge. According to him, by election day, voters are often left with limited choices shaped earlier by internal party processes.
He noted that the renewed emphasis on direct primaries under the Electoral Act 2026 Nigeria could expand participation and empower ordinary party members, but warned that legislation alone cannot guarantee fairness without proper implementation.
Highlighting the role of institutions, Azor said political parties remain responsible for conducting primaries, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is tasked with ensuring compliance. He added that civil society organisations have a complementary role in promoting transparency and public trust without interfering in party affairs.
The advocate stressed the need for structured engagement between civil society groups and political parties to observe primaries under agreed guidelines. He referenced past collaborations involving the United Nations Development Programme, which provided technical support and capacity building to strengthen electoral processes in Nigeria.
Azor identified voter and party member education as a critical starting point, noting that many members lack adequate understanding of primary procedures, eligibility and result collation processes gaps that often create room for manipulation.
He further called for a shift in observation efforts to cover the entire electoral cycle, including party primaries, campaigns, and post-election dispute resolution, rather than focusing solely on election day. According to him, issues such as campaign conduct, misuse of state resources and compliance with finance regulations significantly impact electoral integrity.
Drawing comparisons with other democracies, Azor cited countries like Ghana and Kenya, where civil society engagement spans the full electoral process, as well as the United States, where primaries and post-election legal processes are closely scrutinised.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining credible party membership registers, noting that the success of direct primaries depends on accurate and verifiable records. Weak systems, he warned, could undermine the entire process.
On conflict prevention, Azor urged civil society actors to play a proactive role in identifying early warning signs during primaries and facilitating dialogue to reduce tensions, particularly at the grassroots level.
He added that mandate protection should begin from candidate selection through to lawful dispute resolution, stressing the need for proper documentation, verification of results, and adherence to due process.
Azor concluded that improving the credibility of party primaries would significantly strengthen governance and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
He described credible primaries as the foundation for legitimate leadership, noting that flaws in the process often extend into governance if not addressed early.
