Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the Option A4 direct primary system in Imo State, signalling a major shift in the party’s internal electoral process ahead of upcoming political contests.
The decision, reached during a stakeholders’ meeting in the state, means party candidates will emerge through an open queue voting method, where members line up behind their preferred aspirants to cast their votes publicly.
Party leaders described the move as an effort to deepen internal democracy, strengthen transparency, and give grassroots members greater influence in the selection of candidates.
The Option A4 system, first popularised during Nigeria’s transition era in the early 1990s, has remained one of the country’s most debated electoral methods due to its open-ballot format and emphasis on direct participation.
Political observers say the adoption of the process in Imo could reshape power dynamics within the APC, particularly as competition intensifies among aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for future elections.
The development is also expected to test the party’s ability to manage internal consensus while avoiding factional disputes that have historically accompanied primary elections in the state.
