A former President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, described direct primary election as the best for political parties of properly done.

He therefore asked politicians not to allow the debate generated by the approval of direct primary for political parties by the National Assembly to scuttle the process of having a new electoral law for the country.

Saraki spoke with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, on Sunday at the ninth memorial prayer organised in honour of his late father, Dr Olusola Saraki.

According to him, the most important it for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to sign the bill for the benefit of Nigerians.

He said, “Direct primary is best for political parties if properly done. But I am sure Nigerians are not prepared for it because there is still a lot of work to be done.

“But now that the National Assembly has passed it, we should make the best out of the situation rather than allowing the controversy, which is one item, to throw away the other good parts of the bill.

“What is important, is for the President to sign it and enable Nigerians to benefit from the other parts.”

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On the performance of the Peoples Democratic Party at the last governorship election in Anambra State where the party came second, Saraki noted that the exercise was a success story for Nigeria and democracy.

He added, “The Anambra election was a success story for Nigeria because many of us were sceptical that it would hold.

“But it did not only hold, it was peaceful and credible and we commend INEC for bringing in technology, which we have advocated, to improve our electoral process.

“Yes, there are still some works to be done, no doubt, but we can improve on that for the next election to be better. People can now say we are having elections that is closer to best practices. That election was a good day for democracy and Nigeria and we thank the security agencies also.”

Saraki said the PDP has demonstrated the capacity and leadership qualities to deliver the country with the way its leaders reconciled to hold the national convention.

He added that what is important now is Nigeria and not personal ambition of people.