NEDG: We weren’t influenced to exclude any party from presidential debate
The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has refuted claims that it deliberately excluded some political parties from the presidential and vice presidential debates for the 2019 elections.
The vice-presidential debate holds on Friday, while the presidential debate is slated for January 19, 2019.
In a statement signed by Eddie Emesiri, executive secretary, NEDG, the group said both it and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) were not influenced in picking the five political parties to participate in the debates.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) were the five candidates chosen for the debate.
Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, who is among those excluded from the debate had threatened legal action against the organisers.
But in its reaction, NEDG said the five parties parties were chosen “through an independently administered multi-stage process” with results from an online poll and survey.
“Following our disclosure of the participating parties earlier in the week, our attention has been drawn to some reactions in the public space over the decision to limit the participation to five parties and exclusion of some party flag bearers from the debate,” the statement read.
“Considering the vast number of contending parties, the decision to limit to five parties was taken at the beginning of our process to ensure ease of management for the debates.
“All the stages of the selection process were focused on political parties, taking into consideration the importance of national spread and diversity. Focus was not on specific individuals or candidates.
“We wish to emphatically state that the NEDG and BON were not influenced or induced by anyone to include or exclude any political party from the debate.
“We understand the disappointment of some political parties who would have wished to see their candidates share their visions for the country at the Debates.
“However, Nigerians have spoken through the multi-stage process and we urge all Nigerians to respect their choice as we abide by the outcome of the independent party selection process.”
I read with dismay the weak argument put forward by NEDG for excluding some political parties from vice presidential and presidential debates. The group states “However, Nigerians have spoken through the multi-stage process and we urge all Nigerians to respect their choice as we abide by the outcome of the independent party selection process.” The questions are:
1. How many Nigerians were selected to participate in their survey or selection process?
2. How did they ensure that those selected were true representatives of population i.e. the registered voters?
3. Is it difficult for the group to ensure all registered political parties participate in the debates i.e. by holding the debates in batches until all registered political parties are covered?
What is worth doing is worth doing well. The group has shown to Nigerians and the entire world that they are biased and it reflects so badly on those who made such a terrible decision on behalf of the group to exclude some political parties. They only invited the old establishment and their protege parties and that is terrible on the image of the group.
NEDG and BON have shown the world that they are not neutral. Please let them know that most Nigerians are not convinced by their terrible and weak defence for their partiality.
The decision of NEDG and BON is discriminatory and is not good for our democracy. They would have paid a heavy fine in a sane environment but anything goes in Nigeria.
Thank you.
@ Mr Seyi,
Very true Sir.
The exclusion of some candidate shows the definition of DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA.
I beg to ask, “is it only this 5 candidate that would appear on the ballot paper/Voting document?”.
This quoted statement below is biased since equal opportunity was not made available to other candidates not invited to the debate. Who knows, they may have more to offer than those who debated.
“Considering the vast number of contending parties, the decision to limit to five parties was taken at the beginning of our process to ensure ease of management for the debates.
I just feel for this country, because many youths would prefer to watch a music channel as compared to the debate aired on BON stations. Reason being, Many youths are not loyal nor concerned about the nation. Everyman on his own.
Yet, whenever those in power refer to youth, the actually mean those men/women well connected to the big and highly influential person in the society, NOT THE GUY OR LADY ON THE STREET TRYING TO LIVE BY WHATEVER MEANS AVAILABLE. LITTLE WONDER THE STORIES OF YOUTH ENGAGING IN VICES KEEP FINDING EXPRESSION IN THE MEDIA.