Former presidential candidate and business tycoon, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to respect the nation’s electoral process by advising a shift in the timetable for political party primaries to September, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

In an open letter addressed to the President, Hashim warned that the current rush toward early primaries could undermine internal party democracy and weaken the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

He stressed that Section 29(1) of the amended Electoral Act provides a broader window for parties to conduct their primaries up to mid-September, arguing that adherence to this timeline would enhance transparency, inclusiveness and fairness in the electoral process.

“The current timetable constrains the latitude of political parties to conduct their primaries. There is a need to allow sufficient time, as envisaged by law, for parties to organise credible and participatory primaries,” he said.

The former candidate expressed concern that compressing the primary election process could fuel disputes within parties, disenfranchise aspirants and ultimately diminish public confidence in the electoral system.

While making a broader appeal for the protection of Nigeria’s democracy, Hashim cautioned against actions that may lead to a non-competitive electoral environment, warning that such a trend poses serious risks to the country’s democratic stability.

He recalled that Nigeria’s democratic gains were built on sacrifices during the struggle against military rule, and stressed that safeguarding political pluralism remains essential to sustaining those gains.

The letter also urged the President to promote reforms that would strengthen electoral credibility, including a review of contentious provisions in the Electoral Act and measures to ensure a level playing field for all political actors.

“That you advise the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to step aside to allow for the reconstitution of a broadly credible Electoral Commission to oversee forthcoming elections,” he added.

Hashim further called for steps to enhance confidence in electoral institutions, noting that trust in the system is critical to peaceful and credible elections.

According to him, allowing political parties adequate time to conduct primaries would not only reduce tensions but also deepen internal democracy and improve the quality of candidates that emerge for elective offices.

He maintained that adjusting the timetable to align with the Electoral Act would demonstrate commitment to due process and help avert avoidable political disputes ahead of the polls.

The former presidential candidate expressed hope that the President would consider the recommendations in the interest of political stability and national cohesion. (The Guardian)