The Nigerian Election Debates Group (NEDG) has concluded arrangements to stage issue- based debates for all the candidates that have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 16, 2013 election.
Altogether, 23 governorship candidates and their running mates are expected to participate in the debates.
Chairman of NEDG, Mr. Taiwo Alimi told reporters in Awka yesterday that 11 Non Governmental Organizations, NGOs, under NEDG, which include Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Election Reform Network and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) are involved in organizing the debates.
According to Alimi, the debates, which will be in two sessions are scheduled for October 22, 2013 for the running mates, while the governorship candidates would have theirs on October 29 and 31.
He said: “The coalition of media and civil society groups seek to set agenda and provide for the people of Anambra State an opportunity to get relevant information about each of the persons aspiring to rule them. What we are trying to do is to provide a platform at which everybody will have the opportunity of telling the people what they can do”.
Alimi said that those who would take part in the final debate on 31st October would be determined by the outcome of opinion poll of the registered voters in Anambra State, as conducted by credible researchers
He explained that as part of the debate, a non participating audience that would not clap or eulogize any of the candidates would be allowed into the hall, adding that the idea is to provide a level –playing field for all the candidates.
He said that NEDG had successfully conducted similar debates in Edo and Ondo states and hoped that Anambra governorship candidates would participate effectively.
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