National Assembly asked to legalize presidential, governorship debates

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has asked the National Assembly to make presidential and governorship debates mandatory.

A law to that effect, according to Secretary-General Willy Ezugwu, would strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.

The CNPP questioned why some standard bearers refused to attend debates or were excluded by the organizers.

Legalizing dialogues with standard bearers in attendance, according to the coalition, will help citizens make informed decisions.

According to the CNPP, debates are an inherent part of the electoral process in advanced democracies such as the United States.

Ezugwu pointed out that no serious contender in the American presidential election could afford to be absent.

“All candidates and their parties in Nigeria should be required to participate in governorship and presidential debates.”

“Debates should be a veritable screening ground for people seeking to represent them in government.”

The statement urged the National Assembly to immediately establish procedures to make its demand standard practice.

The CNPP proposed legislation to create a National Commission on Election Debates (CED) with the authority to organize debates.

It also stated that the commission should have the authority to sanction and penalize candidates who do not participate.

The campaign season for the general election in February and March of 2023 is in full swing.

The top presidential candidates are Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).