The terms “aspirant” and “candidate” have been misconstrued by many individuals due to their similarities. Oftentimes, Nigerians don’t know that a candidate and an aspirant running for office are distinct, and is incorrect to use them interchangeably.
This article explains the meaning of the two words in the context of Nigeria’s election.
Who is an aspirant?
Aspirant is from the word “aspire.” An individual who aspires, such as one who seeks or wishes for a position, career, advancement, or status, is referred to as an “aspirant.”
For instance, Bola Tinubu was an aspirant before the APC approved him to run for president. Another instance is Atiku Abubakar, who was an aspirant under the Social Democratic Party in 1993 but lost the party’s primary election and thus could not be the party’s candidate.
Who is a candidate?
A candidate, or nominee, is the prospective recipient of an award or honour. It is also a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position, for example, an elected office.
In this case, a candidate selection procedure occurs. For instance, Bola Tinubu became a candidate, that is, the APC candidate or nominee of the party after the APC cleared him to run for president. Another instance is Atiku Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the Action Congress after winning the party primary election in 2007.
According to the party’s rules and any relevant election laws, the selection (i.e., nomination) of the party is usually made through one or more primary elections.
How do aspirants become candidates?
The new electoral act provides that an aspirant seeking to run for a political office through the platform of a political party shall face the party’s screening and be selected by indirect primary, direct primary, or through the consensus method.
- Direct Primary: All members of the party will vote for the aspirant of their choice, and the winner will become the party’s candidate to compete in the general election against other political parties.
- Indirect Primary: Some party members, known as delegates, will elect one aspirant among others contesting for the same position or office through the same political party.
- Consensus Method: This is when the whole party decides that one aspirant will go and represent the party in the general election.
Who are delegates & how are they picked?
There are two types of delegates: ad hoc and statutory.
- The ad hoc delegates are picked by holding congresses in the wards across the country. The process involves party members choosing people (representatives) who will vote on their behalf in the party’s governorship or presidential primary election. The national executive committees (NECs)—the high organs—are to determine the mode in which these congresses are to be held. After the delegates are selected, a convention will be held to enable them to decide on who will fly the party’s gubernatorial or presidential flag.
- The statutory delegates, also known as automatic delegates, are party members who are current and serving public office holders. They include current and former presidents, governors, and deputy governors, as well as members of the national and state houses of assembly.
The winner at this primary election shall be the one nominated by the political party to compete in the general election, and then this winner shall be called the party’s candidate or nominee. The candidate nominated must meet the basic qualification requirements as stipulated by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC’s guidelines.
Candidates are called “incumbents” if they are already serving in the office for which they seek re-election. If they are seeking to replace an incumbent, they are called “opposition.”
What the Electoral Act and the Constitution Says
Both the Electoral Act and the Constitution require public servants and political appointees to resign before contesting an election.
Distinctively, the Electoral Act explains that political appointees who intend to be voting delegates or stand as aspirants for elective positions in a primary election shall, first of all, resign their appointments. For a political appointee, the failure to resign an appointment before voting as a delegate or standing as an aspirant in a primary election is a violation of the electoral act and further renders the primary election null, void, and illegal.
On the other hand, the 1999 Constitution as amended outlines in sections, 66(1)f, 107(1)f, 137(1)g, and 182(1)g that a candidate can resign 30 days before the conduct of the election if they are public service employees.
This distinction between these two laws has caused various interpretations. One argument that often erupts is the distinction between political appointees and holders of public office.
In contrast, is a political appointee not in public service? Are they not under public service employment despite being hand-picked?
The court
In 2022, a Federal High Court in Umuahia ruled that the contentious Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 was null and void.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike, the court held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void, and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it violates the clear provisions of the Constitution.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja voided the judgment of the Federal High Court in Umuahia on the basis of lacking jurisdiction. Although the appellate court essentially validated the controversial law, it said it would have ruled otherwise if the main suit had been properly brought before it.
Candidates Resignation
At the start of the election season, many political appointees expressed their interest in vying for a political office but also planned to retain their current status.
This led to a series of legal suits from these aspirants, one of which was brought by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.
Along the line, aspirants like Abubakar Malami, Sen. Chris Ngige (minister for labour), and Godwin Emiefele (the Central Bank governor) thought their current positions were worth the while rather than chasing what wasn’t certain.
Hence, they buried their political ambitions and continued to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Recently, the minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has been the subject of major discussion because he showed interest to contest for the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket in Bayelsa state.
It was however disclosed by Bashir Ahmad, special assistant to the president on digital communications, that Sylva resigned to pursue his governorship ambition.
Conclusively, the immediate former minister for petroleum remains an aspirant until he wins the APC gubernatorial ticket in Bayelsa. Should he win the primary election, he will be the candidate of the party. However, if he loses the primary election, he remains an aspirant.