The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) on Sunday strongly condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for failing to attend a gubernatorial debate in Benin City ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
The debate, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and NEDG, was meant to feature five political parties, including the APC and PDP.
In a strong rebuke, NEDG representative Eddie Emessiri accused both candidates of displaying disregard for Edo citizens by refusing to participate in the debate.
He urged voters not to overlook this act of disrespect, emphasising that leaders who are unwilling to present their ideas and policies for public scrutiny are unworthy of their votes.
“We cannot stand by and allow this culture of impunity to thrive,” Emessiri said, condemning the avoidance of the democratic process by both candidates.
He further warned against leaders who believe that election outcomes are predetermined rather than decided by the will of the people, calling their actions “dangerous and shameful.”
The debate was attended by the candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Olumide Akpata; the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Derek Izedonwmen; and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Miss Patience Ndidi.
The absence of the APC and PDP candidates led to the cancellation of the debate, but the present candidates were given the opportunity to address the electorate.
Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata called out the APC and PDP candidates for their failure to engage with the public, describing their actions as a blatant disregard for not just the NUJ and BON, but also for the people of Edo State.
He suggested that these candidates relied on violence and manipulation to secure electoral victories, rather than engaging in open and democratic discourse.
PRP’s Ndidi criticised the undue reverence given to the APC and PDP, arguing that this has led to the parties taking the electorate for granted.
“We need to stop giving them the respect and popularity they do not deserve,” she said, condemning the absence of the two leading candidates.
Izedonwmen of the ADC also lamented the absence of both APC and PDP candidates, comparing their actions to President Bola Tinubu’s refusal to participate in debates during the 2023 presidential elections.
The NEDG and participating candidates urged Edo voters to hold their leaders accountable and ensure that their voices are heard at the polls, warning that democracy thrives on informed and engaged electorates.
