By Francis Onoiribholo Bureau Chief Benin
The Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Monday Okpebholo and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Dr Asue Ighodalo were on Sunday absent at the debate organized by the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) while the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, his Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Patience Ndidi-Key and the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) Derek Izedonmwen were present.
Akpata condemned in strong terms the no show of the other candidates just as the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG), while condemning the development called on Nigerians to insist that those aspiring to govern them must be made to be accountable to them.
In his speech, Akpata described the failure of the APC and PDP candidates to honour the invitation to the debate as an outright disregard not only to the NUJ and BON but Edo people, urging residents to call out the candidates and use their votes to do justice to them at the poll.
Akpata, who claimed the two candidates hoped on violence and manipulations to win the governorship election and that that is why they did not show up, also charged media organisations and executives to condemn the action by the two candidates in their editorials, writing, among others.
He wondered why a candidate should intend to govern a state without coming to tell the people what he has for them, saying, “Asue Ighodalo comes from the private sector like I do, but if I may ask, as chairman of board of several companies, did he employ any intending employee without an interview? This is simple logic.
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“But because they intend to win elections through violence and manipulation and not telling the people what they have for them, they feel there is no need for coming out to tell Edo people why they should vote for them. This act must stop.
“I will implore the media to condemn this. I expect to see headlines from tomorrow condemning this total disrespect for Edo people.”
On her part, PRP’s Ndidi said people are giving these two political parties undue regards and that is why they have taken the people for granted while the ADC candidate, Izedonwmen said “it’s quite unfortunate that the two political parties copied what Tinubu did in 2023, where he declined to honour debate invite but still win the election, urging Edo people to stand against this.”
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of NEDG, Eddie Emessiri condemned the non appearance of the candidates
He said “Despite all efforts by the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to organize this platform, a crucial opportunity for the people of Edo State to hear directly from those seeking their votes, early this morning, handlers of two of the major political party candidates called to inform us their candidates have chosen to stay away at this late hour in our preparation. This is an act of disrespect, not only to this event but, more critically, to you-the voters.
“Make no mistake, these actions are not only unreasonable but utterly unconscionable. It is a stark demonstration of the growing impunity within our political class, where candidates believe they can bypass debates and town hall meetings, deny you the information you need, and yet expect your vote. Why?”
