Ahead of the primary elections slated for this month, former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro has called on party delegates to shelve primordial sentiments and vote for leaders that have the capacity to fix the innumerable challenges besetting the nation.
The former IGP made the call on Monday at a world press conference organized by the Nigeria-First Foundation to mark the 19th monthly edition of the Diplomatic and Diaspora Strategic Stakeholders Forum, DDSSF.
According to him: “The much-awaited 2023 Presidential elections unknown to many usually begin at Party Primaries. For Nigeria, the month of May 2022 is a unique and a decision making one at the political level, hence our decision to use the occasion of the 19th monthly edition of The Diplomatic And Diaspora Strategic Stakeholders Forum to specially appeal to the conscience of our delegates to be conscious of whom they elect to face the larger Nigerian people because the 2023 Presidency begins effectively at these Presidential primaries.
“There is the need to present a Nigeria first oriented candidate being that the upcoming general elections would be centered on a credible candidate and not holistically party-based.
“The message and mandate here are for our delegates to be nationalistic and very intentional as to whom gets their endorsement. The Delegates should also know that they are not only delegates of their respective political parties but also representing the Nigerian people all over the globe.”
Speaking on how important primary elections are, he said: “Whatever they produce from the party Presidential primaries is what will determine the final decision of the electorate at the polling unit.
“By all settings, it is proven that only national interest voting systems should become the standard in voting. In other words, credibility, competence and character are the three ‘Cs’ needed to arrive at who gets such endorsements by the delegates.”
The primaries for the All-Progressive Congress (APC) for the House of Representatives and Governorship will hold on the same day, May 26, while May 27 is fixed for appeal.
May 27 is the date for primaries for the Senate and State House of Assembly, May 28 is the date for the appeal. The presidential primary will hold on May 29 and 30.
Meanwhile, for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the date for primary elections for the State Houses of Assembly and the House of Representatives seats is May 22, for the Senate is May 23 and May 28 and May 29 are for the presidential.
