The debate organised by
the Coalition for Popular Participation and Credible Election in Kogi
state (COPPCEK) has been shunned by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 15
other parties in the state.
Kogi state
governor Idris Wada
The coalition is made up of the Lokoja Dioceses of the Catholic Church, Council of Ulamas, Justice, Development and Peace Commission of Idah, the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kogi state chapter.
In his opening remarks the coordinator of the
coalition Rev. Fr. Leonard Onu se Odemeja stated that the debate was an
opportunity for the candidates to inter phase with the electorates.
He informed the audience that invitations were
sent out to all the 22 political parties participating in the polls, adding
that 19 of the parties sent in acknowledgement.
However during the debate, only seven candidates of
political parties showed up. The candidates are that of PPN, PDP, NCP, LP, APGA
and DCP.
“This debate is basically a platform for the
contestants to interface with the electorates, let the electorate have a good
idea of what the candidates have in stock for them.
“This feedback is like more or less a feedback
mechanism especially for those who had opportunity to rule the State before to
feel the pulse of the electorate as per their performances before and the
electorates can now hold them by their words whoever emerges governor,” Rev Fr Odemeja said.
Reacting to the non- appearance of majority of the
parties invited, he said it was not a new issue to Nigerians adding that it is
rather legendary.
Meanwhile, Kogi state governor,
Idris Wada has warned that a vote for Prince Abubakar Audu of the APC will drag the state back to
the dark days which was characterised by constant attacks.
The governor also alleged that Audu’s first term in
office was the most divisive in the history of the state as he allegedly
promoted ethic bigotry.
It will be recalled that Wada had
claimed that the APC in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria is delaying the bailout fund of the state despite
being one of the first states to apply with full documentation for the federal
government’s bailout fund.
Source: Naij.com
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