Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, stated in a conversation with some media in Enugu State that candidates should honor invitations to debates to demonstrate to Nigerians their sincerity to serve.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the main Igbo socio-cultural organization, has stated that presidential contenders who have something to conceal from Nigerians are the ones refusing to participate in media debates.
Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, stated in a conversation with some media in Enugu State that candidates should honor invitations to debates to demonstrate to Nigerians their sincerity to serve.
IPOB Blasts Ezeife, Ohanaeze spokesman Over Simon Ekpa Comment
Ogbonnia said, “Public scrutiny is an important aspect of a democracy. It involves examining how the candidate talks, his ability to convince people by responding to questions, his intuitive capacity, and his intriguing power.
“These things are very important. It helps us to know every aspect of the candidate before we vote. No candidate should shy away from it. Anyone who does so has something to hide. Nigerians should not accept it.”
He also noted that although debates were not compulsory, it remained part of public life.
Ogbonnia said, “Debate is not compulsory, but it is essential. The same way campaigns are not also compulsory. During debates, the people will understand the level a candidate flows. Ability to communicate is very important in public life.”
2023: Keyamo Reveals Why Tinubu Won’t Attend Presidential Debates
According to Anaedoonline.ng, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has a history of declining media debates.
He dispatched his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, to represent him at various public engagements, including as the Annual Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
Tinubu had previously declined to honor invitations from TV stations and others to present their intentions for the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu, unlike his rivals, has not appeared on any TV or radio interview shows since winning the APC presidential primary contest in June.
In November, Arise TV, in association with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Leadership Newspaper, hosted a Presidential Town Hall debate for some of the 2023 presidential hopefuls.
2023 Presidency: Why I snub Presidential Debates – Tinubu
The presidential candidates were expected to attend the presidential town hall debate in person, but while Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) did, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was represented by his running mate, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Tinubu did not attend or send a representative.
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