TheCable

BBC Africa has put together governorship debates in Hausa, Igbo, Pidgin and Yoruba.

In a statement, the media organisation said the debate will be conducted in 10 states on different dates.

The governorship election is scheduled to hold on March 2,  two weeks after the presidential and national assembly elections.

It said its Hausa and Yoruba service will host the first set of debates on January 10 followed by two more debates each.

“This will be followed by BBC Igbo & Pidgin service each hosting two debates in front of a live audience,” the statement read.

“The debates will ask candidates questions around the following areas and will be based around the theme of building impactful governance.”

It listed the debates to include economy, education, health, infrastructure and jobs.

Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, head of BBC West Africa, said: “By conducting the debates in local languages, we aim to engage audiences, clarify the issues and further bridge the gap between candidates and the electorate. It brings governance closer to the people.”

The BBC Africa added the debate would be hosted by a key moderator and audiences will be able to pose their questions directly to each candidate, and can also join the conversation using #BBGovDebate.