2023: Group to engage presidential candidates on economy


The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) says it will engage political parties’ presidential candidates on a presidential economy debate, beginning on Nov. 15.

Mr Eddie Emessiri, the NEDG Executive Secretary, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja to announce the proposed debate to the public.

He said the conference was also to garner support, build affinity with critical stakeholders and stimulate interest in participation.

Emessiri expressed optimism that such debates would enable the electorate make informed decisions at the polls that would evolve leaders that would positively transform the country in the interest of all.

He said candidates who would feature in the debate, would be selected from opinion poll results conducted to allow public input which was already ongoing.

“The final list with the names of selected candidates and the methodology for the selection process will be announced on Nov. 8, a week before the first debate,” he said.

On funding, he said the NEDG would sell advert space to big companies to advertise their products and services to cover the cost of operations.

According to him, because of finance and airtime, the NEDG will limit the number of presidential candidates to the four most popular ones, based on the poll results.

The NEDG executive scribe assured the candidates of a fair platform for engagement, saying that all stakeholders will be carried along.

Emessiri said the debate was designed to specifically provide a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge on the economic policies and agenda of various political party candidates seeking to be elected as the country’s next president in 2023.

He said the NEDG and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) were collaborating with support from some Civil Society Organisations to steer the initiative.

He added that the essence was to ensure that the electorate made informed decisions at the polls after listening to the candidates.

“This presidential debate on economic policy will serve as a launching pad to discuss the roadmap towards an inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

“It is crucial, like never before, to nudge Nigerians towards making informed voting choices that would produce leaders who would transform our country with the sagacity and political will that will steer our nation towards shared economic prosperity,’’ he said.

He said the debate scheduled to hold at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, was part of the initiative towards sensitising stakeholders and citizens on peaceful, informed and accountable democratic participation.

He said the debate would seek to address the state of the economy, the concerns of the citizens to choose from among the presidential candidates and other related leadership positions.

He explained that the NEDG, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and their civil society partners would host three other debates.

This, he said, would deal with other important issues to help the electorate have a better understanding of how the candidates were prepared to keep the country on the path of prosperity.

“During these debates, the candidates will be taken closer to the electorate in the South-West, South-South and North-West geopolitical zones.

“They will discuss varying issues of national importance, such as foreign relations, governance structure, national defence and security, education, information technology and health, among others.

“Others would be discussed as the debates move from Abuja to Port Harcourt on December 15, Lagos on January 19, 2023, and Kano on February 16, 2023,’’ he said.

He said there would be nationwide broadcast of all the debates by members of BON, comprising all federal and state owned media outfits, including direct to home TV and cable stations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEDG is a coalition of broadcast organisations, civil society organisations and professional groups, who are committed to the deepening of democracy in Nigeria.

The NEDG is also committed to entrenching an enduring democratic culture through organised television debates since the return to democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999.

Facebook Comments Box
Copyright 2024 ROYAL NEWS. All rights reserved. Digital material on this website, may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from ROYAL NEWS.
 

For Adverts and News/Event Coverage, contact 08061346946, 07030849251. Or email info@royalnews.com.ng

Download ROYAL NEWS app

Html code here! Replace this with any non empty raw html code and that's it.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Subscribe

spot_img

Latest News

More like this
Related

Nigeria to host 2025 Int’l Airshow

The Federal Government has announced April 2025 as the...

NSCDC CG pays condolence visit to Army Headquarters over Lagbaja’s death

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil...

Olomu of Omu-Aran Congratulates Emir of Ilorin on 29th Anniversary

The Olomu of Omu-Aran and Ologbomona of Igbomina land,...

[US UPDATE] I will make America great again, says Donald Trump

Donald Trump of the Republican Party has said he’s...

Police detectives recover severed head thrown into a nearby stream in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command on Friday disclosed that...

Hijrah Islamic Organisation salutes Emir of Ilorin on 29th coronation anniversary

The leadership of the National Hijrah Islamic Organisation Kwara...

Look beyond illicit drug seizures, Oba of Benin challenges NDLEA, others

The paramount ruler of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has...

Emir Sulu-Gambari preaches unity, thanks Nigerians for celebrating him at 29years on throne

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional...

Gbenga Power greets Emir of Ilorin on 29th coronation anniversary

The Chairman of Gbenga Power Foundation, Hon. Gbenga Oyekunle...

NILDS DG hails Emir of Ilorin at 29 on throne

The Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic...

Obaze Anambra PDP torchbearer thanks supporters

Mr Oseloka Obaze, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic...

Minister promises support for military widows

The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi...

INEC declares Bakura by-election inconclusive in Zamfara

Prof. Ibrahim Magawata, the Returning Officer of the Bakura...

Elderstateman, Adamu Fika dies in London at 90

An elderstateman and former Head of Civil Service of...

Gov. Buni mourns Gulani LG Chairman, others

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe on Saturday, mourned...

Pantami for 2nd Unilorin CIS Conference

The Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of...

FG drops money laundering charges against Binance executive

The Federal Government has dropped all charges against Tigran...

Customs begins distribution of food items nationwide

Arrangements have been concluded by the Nigeria Customs Service...

Govt, Residents differ over arrested suspected bandits in Kaduna

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Conflicting reports have emerged about the...

Nollywood: Actors Guild gets new exco

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has elected new...