Give us debate not joint appearance, UPP tells NEDG

A letter signed by the Director General of Chief Chekwas Okorie Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, addressed to the Director General of the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), dated February 1, 2015, said the presidential debate slated for February 8 should be a real debate and not appearance.  NEDG had on Sunday organised […]

A letter signed by the Director General of Chief Chekwas Okorie Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ugorji O. Ugorji, addressed to the Director General of the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), dated February 1, 2015, said the presidential debate slated for February 8 should be a real debate and not appearance.  
NEDG had on Sunday organised a debate for running mates of all the presidential candidates of various political parties participating in this month’s general elections. The debate for presidential candidates is slated for February 8, while that of Directors General of Presidential Campaign Organisations was conducted on January 25, 2015.
But according to yesterday’s UPP letter, to refer to the activities as they are presented by NEDG so far, as debates, is a misnomer.
“I submit that these are joint appearances, not debates. To refer to these activities as they are presented so far, as debates, is a misnomer. The rules are such that allow for no criticism of any party’s reported agenda or record or lack of record. No exchange or interaction between the candidates is allowed, and the candidates are not allowed to ask each other any questions.
“Even to comment on a proposal offered by an opposing candidate or to mention an opposing party’s name is prohibited. In essence, candidates’ claims and assertions go unchallenged by opposing candidates.
“I respectfully ask the NEDG to revisit its rules for the presidential debates scheduled for February 8, 2015. The presidential candidates should be allowed to engage one another and to challenge the assertions and claims of their opponents,” it said.