… charges Debate Committee to ensure voters in rural areas participate, listen to candidates’ plans
The Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha has described the Akwa Ibom 2027 Election Debate as a very interesting and laudable initiative, noting that, although Nigerian politicians always shy away from election debate, he is in full support of the Debate as it will contribute to the improvement of the Nigerian electoral system.
The Commissioner stated this on Wednesday 4th November when he received the Akwa Ibom 2027 Election Debate Planning Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in his office.
Addressing the Debate Committee, led by the Chairman, Comrade Ndanti Ekuh, the REC said he is very interested in the debate and will attend in person so as to watch and listen to what the candidates have to say about their plans for the people and the State, stressing that candidates must come out and tell the electorates why they should be voted for.
In his words, the Commissioner said: “From the first day I heard about the debate, I was very interested and impressed that the NUJ is putting up such laudable initiative to help voters make good choices at the poll. The Nigerian electoral system is improving by the day and concept like election debate is one of the ways to further strengthen and improve the system. So I thank the NUJ leadership and the planning committee for the initiative, the planning and the progress made so far. It is very commendable. Those contesting for elective position must be given a neutral platform to tell the people what they plan to do and those that were elected earlier who are now running for a second term must give account of what they did in the first term and why they think they deserve a second term.”
Further, the REC who was later joined by his River State counterpart, said the debate will be impactful only if it is not done as an elitist event, warning that if the real and active voters are not carried along on the debate, the aim may be defeated.
“But I must tell you, do everything possible to make sure that the debate is not an elitist event that starts and ends in Uyo. From our survey, most of these elites don’t usually come out to vote, they even hardly mobilize their people to register and collect PVCs. So if you center the debate around them, you won’t get the desired result. Let all voters including those in the rural areas and interior villages have the opportunity to listen to those who will be going there to seek their votes so that they can have their personal decision to make, if not, they will be voting in the usual manner, and the objective of the debate will not be actualized,” the REC warned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Debate Planning Committee, Comrade Ndanti Ekuh thanked the Resident Electoral Commissioner for always identifying with the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, saying that the NUJ and INEC are sister bodies with a common goal, hence, the reason for the consultative visit to the Commission.
He explained that as far as General Election is concerned, the NUJ is as neutral as the INEC, assuring that all candidates will be given equal treatment throughout the debate. According to the Committee Chairman, many candidates have received invitation to the debate and have all indicated interest to attend with signing of candidates participation form.
While announcing that issuance of invitation letters to candidates is ongoing, Ekuh said the debates will be given a wide spread media coverage including Live Broadcast on both national and local television, radio stations as well as all possible social media handles.
Among those in the delegation were the Secretary of the Committee, Comrade NseAbasi Valentine and the State Auditor of NUJ, Comrade Dianaime Uko.
