The Nigerian Election Debate Group has fixed January 19, 2019, for a debate for presidential candidates of different political parties taking part in the 2019 elections.
The group fixed the vice presidential candidates debate for December 14, 2018. The group’s chairman, John Momoh, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, November 22, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
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Momoh who is also the chairman of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) added that the debates will hold at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and will be broadcast live by all BON members.
According to Momoh, it is imperative for candidates to participate in debates so as to explain their decisions and plans to the people.
He, however, said that most times some candidates failed to show up, adding that a law put in place would compel candidates to participate in the exercise.
He said that efforts were made in the past to have a Debate Commission, but that the bill, after passing first and second readings, was stepped down.
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“One major challenges facing us as a nation is the threat to national unity, among others.
“Many of these problems stem from decisions made by our leaders behind closed doors; other times openly from regulations removed when no one was looking or from reckless actions taken while authorities turned a blind eye.
“Our nation is strongest when our elected leaders are transparent, accessible and accountable to its citizens, explaining their decisions and answering tough questions.
”This standard of openness must start long before election day,” the chairman said.
Momoh said that the group would set the format and rules of the debate, ensure the objectivity of audiences and steer negotiations between broadcasters and the parties as Nigerians expected all parties to be challenged.
President Muhammadu Buhari is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar with Peter Obi as his running mate.
Meanwhile, Senator Ali Ndume has said that the presidential candidate of the PDP will be a walk-over for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections.
Ndume, chairman, Senate committee on establishment and public service, made the statement at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.
He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not perturbed by Atiku’s emergence, adding that he was not a threat to the party in any way.
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