TheCable

Cambridge University African Caribbean Society (CUACS) and the Cambridge Union are set to host a panel discussion for five presidential candidates ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 elections.

Tagged ‘2019 Nigerian Presidential Election Forum,’ the event is scheduled to hold in January 2019.

According to a press release issued by the organisers on Wednesday, the forum serves as an opportunity for Nigerian leaders to engage with Nigerians in the diaspora.

Martine Dennis, a British journalist, will be moderating the discussion.

“With the Nigerian elections coming up on 16th February 2019, this panel discussion will be one of the last opportunities for the candidates to state their visions for Nigeria,” the statement read.

“The panelists will be five key Presidential Candidates who have held high level positions in Government in Nigeria. HE Mr Muhammadu Buhari – The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE Mr Abubakar Atiku, Former Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili. Former Vice President, World Bank and Former Minister of Solid Minerals and Education, Mr Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu. Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Donald Duke, Former Governor, Cross River State.”

The statement added: “The forum serves as a focal point for conversations with the youth and diaspora on the future development of Nigeria and Africa. The United Nations estimates there to be 1.2 million Nigerians living abroad. Their remittances rank as sixth largest in the world; annually they contribute over $20 billion to her $380 billion GDP.

“According to the United Kingdom Higher Education Statistics Agency, there are over 20,000 Nigerian International Students studying in UK Universities and their numbers continue to grow.

“Nigerians are the third largest group of international students in the UK. These students will form majority of the audience at the forum. Political groups have been formed in the UK in order to champion the case for the Diaspora voting and the Nigerian Government.”

Semilore Delano, events officer of CUACS, said the 2019 election is critical and the forum presents an opportunity for candidates to connect with Nigerians in the diaspora.

“The people are clamouring for transformational leadership for the country.  Having such a panel of African leaders in Cambridge is unprecedented. It is a great opportunity for the candidates to engage in highly interactive and in-depth discussions with the diaspora on their policies,” he said.

The Cambridge Union, established in 1815, has hosted talks for world leaders including US Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) had also named five political parties to participate in 2019 vice presidential and presidential debates.