Only five presidential candidates will take part in the debate being organised by the the Nigerian Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Executive Secretary of NEDG, Edidi Emesiri, said this in a statement on Tuesday.
Emesiri listed the candidates shortlisted for the debate to include those of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili; Alliance for New Nigeria, Fela Durotoye; All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari; Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; and Young Progressives Party, Kingsley Moghalu.
He did not disclose the criteria used in picking the candidates to take part in the debate.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Elections Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, after its meeting today (Tuesday) in Abuja, have released the names of parties that will be participating in the 2019 vice presidential and presidential debates.
“The parties in alphabetical order are: ACPN, ANN, APC, PDP and YPP.
“The Vice Presidential debate will hold from 7pm at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Friday the 14th of December 2018, while the presidential debate will hold at the same venue on Saturday January 19, 2019.
“The debates will be transmitted live on all BON member stations and its affiliates, as well as live streaming on all social media platforms.”
The Chairman of the NEDG and BON, Mr John Momoh, had on November 22 told journalists in Abuja that the debate would focus on the nation’s economy, electricity, job creation, healthcare, education and security among others.
Momoh had said Nigeria would be strong when elected leaders were transparent, adding that such openness must start long before election.
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.
“Among others, the debates will focus on the issues that matter most to working families; restoring our economy, providing electricity, creating jobs, securing health care for every Nigerian, making and achieving excellence in every Nigerian school and ensuring safety and security for Nigerians.”