The Nigerian Elections Debates Group (NEDG) in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has set debate dates for candidates ahead of the 2023 general election.
Eddie Emessiri, the executive secretary, of NEDG, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, said the planned presidential debate as part of the election process, will allow candidates to show the electorate their experience, ability, capacity, knowledge and competence which will help Nigerians make informed choices regarding the next president.
The debate will kick off November 15 at the congress hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja with discussions around economic matters. The second part of the debate which vice presidents will be the discussants is scheduled to hold on December 15 in Port Harcourt.
The third part of the debate is slated for January 19, 2023, in Lagos with discussions centred on foreign affairs and education, while the fourth part will be held in Kano on February 16, with focus on insecurity, restructuring of the country, and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
Only four presidential candidates out of the 18 cleared by INEC will be invited for the debate and they will be selected via a public opinion poll. Emessiri added that the participating candidates were restricted to four in order to get the best answers and maximise the 135 minutes which will be the duration of the debate.
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The final list of the selected candidates and the methodology for the selection process will be announced on November 18, a week before the first debate.
“The issues for debate should enable Nigerians comprehend the policy directions of the presidential candidates and the solutions that will provide a stable economy, address unemployment and drive economic growth based on their presentation of solutions to fiscal policy as well as other policies on industrialisation, trade, agriculture, investment, export promotion and infrastructure,” he said.
The NEDG secretary added that the candidates will be asked a minimum of five questions each to get an in-depth understanding of what to expect from them should they emerge winners in the 2023 general election.
“As a follow-up mechanism, when the next president is declared and they are taking note of milestone dates such as their 100 days in office, they will be questioned on the promises they made during the debate and during campaigns,” he said.
The debate will be translated in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Pidgin and sign language for ease of understanding and general acceptance,
“There will be nationwide broadcast of the debate by all the members of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria BON), comprising all federal public and state government owned stations, all private radio and television stations including direct -to- home TV and cable stations,” he added.
He noted that normally the debate would have been funded by donor organisations but currently resources are channeled to Ukraine and other countries suffering disruptions, hence the funds will be internally generated among the host organisations. However, income will be generated via advertisements.
