EiE sets the tone for People’s Debate

AHEAD of the 2015 elections, advocacy group, Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria) in partnership with Google, Channels TV, Facebook, GEMSTONE, GenVoices, MTV Base and other Global Shapers have formally unveiled plans for the election debate series, The People’s Debate.   

     Held at the Protea Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, with representatives of the partners and advocates present, the debate has been created to position voters at the centre of the democratic process by reinforcing the narrative that elections and governance are about the people. It also aims at providing voters with the information required to select credible candidates and hold them accountable once in office.

     Speaking at the event, TV presenter Funmi Iyanda said, “this platform is meant to constitute itself into an effective opposition to governance, not just at the point of election, but throughout their terms in office.”  

    The Presidential Debate will be moderated by Mr. John Momoh in his first return to TV in at least five years, and is scheduled for Sunday, February 1, in Abuja. It will be broadcast live on Channels TV and streamed live on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM and online via a Google Hangout and on YouTube. 

  While candidates tend to shy away from debates, the platform hopes to create a groundswell of citizens’ demand for a debate. Citizens are being asked via various platforms – online, SMS, TV, radio – to show their support for a debate by voting on what topics they would like discussed. As of today, security tops the list.

  “It is our responsibility, as members of the press and as citizens, to demand a debate and ensure candidates who do not commit are called out. In 2015, a debate is a requirement for campaigning,” said Kayode Akintemi, General Manager at Channels TV.

  EiE Nigeria also revealed that it’ll co-host six governorship debates in each geo-political zone: Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Kaduna, Taraba and Plateau, with the first one being in Plateau this Saturday, January 24 with the APC, LP and PDP candidates.

   Other guests at the event include General Manager, Channels TV, Kayode Akintemi, 2Face Idibia and wife, Annie Idibia, Kemi Lala and others.

  The debates are part of EiE’s flagship RSVP Campaign, which aims to get young people to register to vote, select credible candidates, vote and protect their votes, using tools such as the Revoda mobile application.