The Labor Party (LP) has objected to the exclusion of the Labor Party from a televised debate for candidates scheduled ahead of the Ondo State governorship election.
Naija News reports that the debate, compiled by Channels Television and scheduled to air on Sunday, November 3, will feature candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Mr. Agboola Ajayi and Mr. Agboola Ajayi are explained respectively. He has been selected as a leading candidate for the November 16 gubernatorial election.
However, the Labor Party on Saturday opposed the exclusion of the party from the debate in a statement by Mr. Johnson Ebodofo, Director of Public Affairs and Labor Campaign Organizing in Ondo State.
He also questioned the labeling of APC and PDP candidates as strong candidates for the election, stressing that it was an attempt to mislead Ondo voters.
Mr Egbodofo added that Labor candidate Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni was also a strong candidate.
The party added that it had contacted the television station on how to rectify this development.
“The focus on the Labor Party and its candidates in the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024 will be high on the agenda with a live debate scheduled for Sunday, November 3, 2024 for candidates of the ruling APC and PDP. He was drawn to an advertisement by Channels Television, which Channels unceremoniously described as “two of the leading candidates in the election.”
“As a media-friendly organization and person, we have reached out to the channel and its stakeholders, especially the debate anchor, Seun Okinbaloyi, to ensure that the station’s prestigious media position is not used to mislead. , we immediately reached out to Ondo State and the people of the country to provide our global audience with an opportunity to fairly assess the standing of political parties and the quality of candidates for election.”
“From Friday, October 25th, our governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, has been in touch with several officials of the channel, particularly Mr. Seun Okinbaloyi, to express his regret at the exclusion of the Labor Party, and to express his regret at the exclusion of the Labor Party this week. He promised to make up for it during the war, and all legal and public measures will be taken against him.” Clearly compromising discussions were put on hold. ”
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Channels and Mr. Seun Okinbaloyi held gubernatorial candidate debates in Ondo State in 2012, 2016 and 2020, always fielding three or more candidates. When I went to the target, I was never given the subjective and unfair condition of being a “strong candidate.” It has traditionally been used to determine participation, with the aim of manipulating people's choices. ”
“For the avoidance of doubt, Labor is the first political party since 1999 to have been voted in for two terms and to have ruled Ondo State from 2009 to 2017, and in this election it has been elected by the able Secretary of Government, Olusola Ebiseni. Mr. Adedayo and Mr. Adedayo Ade were the governorship candidate and deputy governorship candidate.Ladies and gentlemen, the Labor Party is the direct predecessor of the current APC government in Ondo State and the intentionally politically harmful advertisements by Channels. In contrast, it is one of the largest political parties in Nigeria today,” the statement read.
Recalling the precedent in Ondo State, the party added that it would be unfair to allow the debate to proceed as scheduled as the choices of the people could be manipulated.
“From Mr. Adekunle Ajasin, Mr. Bamidele Olumumilua, Mr. Adebayo Adefarati, Mr. Olusegun Agagu, Mr. Olusegun Mimiko to Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the intellectual pedigree and ability of the candidates will be a powerful force in the election for Ondo State Governor. We are proud to have been a decisive factor in the debate.Parties that lack confidence in their candidates have in the past advised unprepared candidates to avoid debates. In some cases, it may have been.”
“We want the world to know that our party and candidates can participate in this debate, even at this 11th hour. We remain skeptical that pre-determining competency will be used to intentionally rig the Ondo State gubernatorial election.”
“If it is not fair to political parties and candidates and fails to give the people of Ondo State a fair opportunity to elect their leaders, Channels should respect its reputation and cancel this sham debate. ” read the statement.
