Edo 2024: NEDG, LP, PRP, ADC Slam Ighodalo, Okpebholo for Skipping Debate—Call It a Disrespect to Edo Voters

Candidates of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ighodalo Asue, and his All-Progressives Congress, (APC) counterpart, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Saturday failed to show up at a governorship debate organised by the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) in conjunction with the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) ahead of Saturday’s election in the state.

The NEDG described the actions of the PDP and APC candidates as “not only unreasonable but utterly unconscionable” and 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”.

Candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, who was one of the three flagbearers present, also deplored the action of the two candidates, and wondered how somebody who intended to govern a state would not come to tell the people what he has for them. He was joined at the debate by candidates of the Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) Patience Ndidi-Key, and the Action Democratic Congress, (ADC) Derek Izedonmwen. The Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) was present at the debate.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of NEDG, Eddie Emessiri, condemned in strong terms the last-minute withdrawal of the two candidates from the debate.

Emessiri said “Despite all efforts by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Elections Debate Group, (NEDG) and Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) to organise 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?”

Upbraiding the two major parties, Akpata said they felt there was no need for coming out to tell Edo people why they deserved their votes because “they intend to win elections through violence and manipulation”.

Akpata described their failure to honour the invitation as an outright disregard not only to the NUJ and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, (BON) but to Edo people, and urged the electorates to call out the candidates, and use their votes to do justice to them at the poll. He also charged media organisations and executives to condemn the action by the two candidates in their editorials, writings, among others.

According to the LP candidate, “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.

“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.”

Speaking in a similar vein, PRP’s Ndidi said people were 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 won the election”, and urged Edo people to stand against this.