NLC, NUJ, others invite candidates for debate

TRACKING_____ CANDIDATES of parties contesting the October 10 governorship election have been invited to a debate organised by Face the Voter Initiative, a non-partisan and independent Ondo State-based stakeholders in the civil society and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The debate, according to the organisers, is to create an effective interface between candidates and the people in the first instance, and among the candidates themselves, to deepen political conversation for better voter perception.

The Chairman of the initiative, Dr. Gbenga Abimbola, speaking at a news briefing in Akure, said public debates among candidates seeking elective positions have become a norm in advanced democracies and gradually being embraced in Nigeria.

He listed other collaborating bodies to include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Orientation Agency (NOA), broadcast media such as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC TV), ORANGE FM, SUNSHINE 96.5FM, BREEZ 91.9FM and other stations operating in the state, Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).

Abimbola said no candidate would be forced to attend the debate.

He noted that the goal of election debate was to promote political tolerance, constructive dialogue and selfless service to the people.”