President Muhammadu Buhari and four other presidential contenders are expected to showcase the stuff they are made of as they participate in the presidential debate scheduled to hold in Abuja today, Jan. 19.
Recall that the Chairman of the Nigerian Election Debate Group, NEDG, and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, BON, John Momoh, had in November 2018 told journalists in Abuja that the focus of the debate would on the nation’s economy, electricity, job creation, healthcare, education and security among others.
He said, “Our nation is strongest when our elected leaders are transparent, accessible and accountable to its citizens, explaining their decisions and answering tough questions. That standard of openness must start long before election day.
“It is for this reason that the Nigerian Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria are organising a vice presidential debate on December 14, 2018 and a presidential debate on January 19, 2019.
According to a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of NEDG, Edidi Emesiri, the other debaters are; Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria; Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria; Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party.
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It is however not clear if President Buhari would participate in the debate and the Presidency has at different times implied he may not take part in a debate.
Recall though that Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had featured in an NTA town hall meeting on Wednesday.
The Coalition for United Political Parties had on Thursday claimed that the President was planning to evade the debate.
The debate will hold from 7pm at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and would be transmitted live on all BON member stations and its affiliates as well as live streaming on all social media platforms.
