The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has said that its planned presidential debate will no longer hold.
This was contained in a press release, stating that the Presidential Debate on Economic Policy will no longer take place as planned.
Recall that the NPO Reported the presidential candidates of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC), and his counterpart, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, were absent at the recent presidential debate organized by the Arise Television and Centre for Democracy and Development, a civil society organization.
The presidential candidates who were present at the debate include, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Kola Abiola of People’s Redemption Party.
Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party was represented by his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa. Tinubu, who did not come, did not send a representative.
READ ALSO:
- Jonathan Denies Link With PDP G-5 Governors
- Insecurity: We’ll Not Fail Nigerians -COAS Assures
- Experts Seek Effective Fiscal-Monetary Policy to Tackle Recession
The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party has however said that it’s candidate, Peter Obi, will no longer attend debates where other candidates are not present, stating that the absence of presidential candidates in debates has become a growing trend in the 2023 electioneering campaign.
Reacting to the prevailing circumstance, the NESG, said in the press release;
“It was envisaged that the debate would provide a unique platform and opportunity for presidential candidates to discuss their economic agenda in an environment of civil discourse.
“However, a critical assessment of events surrounding recent engagements with the presidential candidates, as well as subsequent statements from political parties, necessitates a review of our plans.
“In this regard, the Presidential Debate on Economic Policy will no longer take place as planned due to these prevailing circumstances.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this decision may cause our stakeholders and all Nigerians.”
According to the statement, it is very essential to nudge Nigerians towards making informed voting choices that will result in transformational leaders. It also stated, that the NESG and the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Enough is Enough (EiE), BudgIT as well as Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) decided to facilitate a Presidential Debate on Economic Policy on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
The statement further added that the organization will continue to seek independent direct engagements with the candidates critical economic policy reform issues.
“As a non-partisan organisation with a mandate to foster the establishment of an economic foundation for democracy, the NESG will actively seek independent direct engagements with the candidates on critical economic policy reform issues and prescriptions.
“We envision a Nigeria where election debates are an integral part of the electoral process, and candidates are eager to engage citizens in discussions about their mandates, experience, ability, capacity, knowledge, and overall competence for the positions they seek.
“We remain committed to providing a platform for such engagements in the national interest.” It said. NPO Reports learnt that rivalry among the major contenders for the presidency has frustrated organisers to abandon the plan since some of the candidates are of the opinion they don’t have to attend when others stay away.