After the Vice Presidential debate held on Sunday, Nigerians
are now looking forward to that of the Presidential candidates billed for
tomorrow.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has already said it
would not be part of the debate presidential debate, just as it was absent from
the Sunday event.
The party’s Director of Strategy, Dele Alake, said its
presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, would not attend the debate
organised by a section of the media and owners even as he accused the
organisers of bias. He stressed that he could not vouch for the independence of
some of the organisers.
He, however, did not disclose those he claimed have been
compromised.
The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign
Organisation (PDPPCO) is insisting on the participation of the Buhari in the
debate with President Goodluck Jonathan, its candidate for the February 14
presidential election.
Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Chief Femi
Fani-Kayode, in a statement, in Abuja, said that the PDP was ready to attend
any debate, anywhere in the country with the APC candidate even if that debate
was organised by the APC’s spokesman, Lai Mohammed, and the APC itself, as long
as it would be televised live.
“The decision of the APC not to participate in the debate
organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) on the grounds of
alleged bias is baseless and absurd. The decision of the APC to boycott the
debate provides ample evidence of their cowardice and their unrelenting
contempt for the Nigerian people,” Fani-Kayode said.
Meanwhile, Labour Party (LP) has urged Buhari to participate
in the debate.
The party said Buhari’s participation in the debate will
dismiss doubts on his ability to administer the nation.
In a statement by its National Secretary, Mr Kayode Ajulo,
the LP pointed out that the debate would help put issues in proper
perspectives, devoid of propaganda.
According to him, “the excuse given by the APC candidate
that the organisers were Federal Government agencies is not tenable because
INEC too by law is a Federal Government agency. It then follows that if Buhari
should boycott the debate, then he ought to also boycott the election since it
is being organised by a federal agency (INEC).”
The party scribe noted that the expectations of Nigerians
and the international community will be dashed if Buhari should stay away from
the debate. He stated that the major contenders in the election should take
advantage of the debate platform to clear all doubts about issues raised
against them by their opposition.
Speaking on the importance of the debate, media consultant
and a member of the Nigerian Election Debate Group (NEDG), Taiwo Alimi, said
about 85 % of Nigerians made up their minds on who to vote for after the NEDG
organised debate in 2011 presidential elections.
However, even as Buhari may make good its decision not to
participate in the debate, just like his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,
Nigerians have some expectations on the issues that should dominate the
exercise.
A political analyst, Haruna Lawal, posited that ‘‘it is
important to ask them about the state of the nation, particularly issues
relating to security and corruption. Certainly we need to ask them for a
blueprint for the development of the country because we don’t have one. We need
a well-articulated national development plan”.
Another analyst, Maina Magomya said: ‘‘Issues relating to
how to turn the economy around; our reserves, the issue of job creation,
security, what can be done differently from what is presently obtainable, which
has not helped. Issues about corruption and punishment for those that have
looted us blind, provision of basic infrastructure, power, our refineries and
manufacturing sector. I think these are the questions that we want them to
answer’’.
John Nyior submitted that the main questions should be on
how each candidate will create jobs, provide security and how they intend to
eliminate corruption.
Vincent Nzemeke, a Nigerian based in Germany said: ‘‘Insecurity
has become the most persistent threat to Nigeria’s unity in the last few years.
As a result of that, I would love to hear presidential candidates talk about
how they intend to tackle the problem, if elected. They should not just make
promises but come up with a workable plan that will end the menace’’.
‘‘More importantly, they should talk about how they intend
to rebuild the northern economy which has been crippled by the terrorists’
activities over the years.
“Secondly, the Nigerian economy has also been dancing on the
precipice in the last few years. Despite the re-basing of the GDP which made
Nigeria the biggest economy in Africa, the life of an average man on the street
has not improved in any way. So, anyone who wants to be president should be
able to come up with a marshal plan on how to save the Nigerian economy from
collapsing. Now that oil price has continued to dwindle, the presidential
candidates must come up with alternative plans to diversify our economy”.
It will be recalled the issues relating to corruption,
education, industrialisation, security, alternative to oil, and electricity
among others were the focus of the vice presidential debate organised by BON
and the NEDG.
Nigerians are of the opinion that these issues should be part
of the focus of the presidential debate.
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