PDP, LP, NCP shun Edo guber debate

[MrVan]

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY— AHEAD the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, shunned a debate organised in Benin City by Nigeria Elections Debate Group, NEDG, for deputy governorship candidates of political parties participating in the election.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the debate will bring the governorship candidates together today, while the final leg of the debate will hold on July 5.

State chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, when contacted on the absence of the PDP deputy gubernatorial candidate at the debate, said the invitation for the debate came late. He, nevertheless, promised that the party would sustain the "debate on issues from stage to stage across the three senatorial districts."

The debate, moderated by Nancy Iloh, was organised to afford the parties the opportunity to sell their programmes and policies to enable the voters in the state make informed choice in the governorship election next month.

Two other parties, Labour Party and National Conscience Party also stayed away from the debate.

Four parties presented their deputy governorship candidates. They were Dr Pius Odubu of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Mr Felix Konomoore of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; Dr. Paul Oyarenua of  Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and Elder Isaac Ogona of Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP.

The candidates answered questions from a three-man panel, consisting of senior journalists selected by NEDG.

ACN deputy governorship candidate, Dr Odubu told the audience, the programme of the state government, while other candidates in the debate stressed the need for more employment opportunities to be provided for the youths and also revive the industries in the state.

The ANPP deputy governorship candidate Mr Konomoore, lamented the state of industries and assured that an ANPP government will revive  both the industrial and agricultural sectors.

Vanguard Nigeria