The Olugbenga Edema Campaign Organisation of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the forthcoming off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, Olugbenga Edema, has berated the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ighodalo Asue, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Monday Okpebholo in Edo State, for shunning the governorship debate held, at the weekend, in Benin City, the state capital.
While describing the absence of PDP and APC candidates from the debate as an affront and disrespect to the electorate, Edema maintained that the action of the duo denies the people, particularly the electorate, their fundamental right to evaluate the policies and visions of those seeking to govern them.
Asue and Okpebholo 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.
In a statement signed and issued by the spokesperson of the campaign organisation, Oluwatosin Ayeni, it was emphasised that the refusal of the candidate to participate in the debate was a lack of respect for the voters, who are entitled to assess those seeking public office.
While urging the people of Edo State to take a stand, Edema called for the rejection of the two parties at the poll on Saturday, adding that such impunity on the electorate by the two political parties would not be tolerated in Ondo State.
He said: “It is unacceptable for candidates who aspire to lead our states to avoid direct engagement with the people they wish to govern.
“The electorate deserves to hear directly from the candidates about their visions and plans for the future. By not presenting their policies and ideas, they (APC and PDP candidates) are dismissing the intelligence of the electorate.
“PDP and APC do not deserve the votes of the people. It is time for a more responsive and responsible party to take the reins of governance. The NNPP represents a new vision that prioritises the needs and aspirations of the people.
“The people of Ondo deserve to know what candidates have in store for them. Our state’s future should not be left to chance or to those who are unwilling to engage with the public.
“Let us stand together and ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear at the polls.”
