APC Primaries: Bamidele Submits Forms, Cites Stakeholders’ Backing, Insists on Due Process in Consensus

By Jane Salihu

The Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms under the All Progressives Congress, declaring that his return bid to the Senate is backed by strong stakeholder support in Ekiti Central Senatorial District, while insisting that all consensus arrangements must comply with due democratic process.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Bamidele said leaders and stakeholders across his constituency had urged him to seek re-election based on what they described as his quality representation. According to him, no other aspirant has obtained nomination forms in the district, stressing that the development was neither by coercion nor political pressure.

“Stakeholders within my central district came to me to express satisfaction about the quality of representation that I’ve been able to give. All of them said none of us is running against you. I didn’t have to lobby for it or discourage anyone,” he said.

The Senate Leader, however, maintained that while his experience reflects consensus in practice, such arrangements must not override democratic principles. He reiterated that the Electoral Act provides for both direct primaries and consensus, but mandates participation and due process in all cases.

“Consensus is only a suggestion by stakeholders. Where anyone disagrees, the law requires that there must be primaries. Everyone who wants to contest will be given that opportunity,” he stated.

Bamidele emphasized that even in situations where a sole aspirant emerges or a consensus candidate is endorsed, party members must still participate at the ward level to validate the process through open endorsement.

“What we passed in the Electoral Act allows for direct primaries or consensus. But in any case, there will always be primaries. Even if there is only one aspirant, there must be participation at the ward level,” he explained.

He further warned against “backdoor consensus” arrangements that bypass transparency, noting that such practices could undermine internal democracy and create divisions within the party. According to him, consensus must be transparent, inclusive, and rooted in broad agreement among stakeholders.

The Senate Leader acknowledged that while consensus has worked seamlessly in some constituencies through unanimous agreement, it has also generated disputes in others. He stressed that where disagreements arise, the party must revert to direct primaries to ensure fairness.

Bamidele urged party leaders to uphold internal democracy, transparency, and inclusiveness in all APC primaries, noting that credible processes remain essential to sustaining confidence within the party and Nigeria’s democratic system.