We want to give A’Ibom people a non-partisan governorship debate - Group

Two officials of the organising partners for a Governorship Debate scheduled to hold before March elections talked with some newsmen in Uyo, recently. Here are excerpts of the Paul Jonah and Rosemary Etim interview:

 

Who are the organisers of the debate?  

The organisers of this debate are Eagle Wings Company Ltd. In collaboration with Akwa Ibom indigenes in Diaspora for Progress Initiative, an NGO. I need to add that apart from Akwa Ibom, we are planning governorship debates for Delta and Imo States as well.

Why limit this debate to only three States and why the choice of Akwa Ibom, Imo and Delta?
These three states are those that are profoundly sensitive when it comes to electioneering and electoral behaviour. We are trying to answer vexed questions asked by electorate in these areas. Now, why only three States? That’s a great question, and I’d answer you frankly: we are constrained by money, or the lack of it.

It would have been nice to go the whole hog, just to give our people the opportunity to get more up close and personal with these men and women who plan to lead us. If you have noticed, when candidates go for rallies they just get to the podium, present their speeches, hop back into their cars and off they go. Our people don’t really get to engage them prior to elections.

So what we want to do is to bring them out so they can answer most questions on the minds of the electorate. We also hope to better advertise them for a win in the election proper. A debate is a win-win situation both the candidate and the electorate.

Who are your sponsors?
We are doing this on our own as good citizens. We are doing this because we want free and fair elections, based on issues. One way to achieve this is by creating the avenue to engage those who seek public office. We are not being sponsored by anybody. This project looks to educate citizens on what to expect from the people they will be voting for. We will however welcome sponsors who wish to support what we do. At the moment, apart from members of Akwa Ibom Citizens in Diaspora for Progress Initiative, we do not have any sponsorship and support. We hope, though, that interested persons will get in touch hereafter by simply calling 08022221993 or 08089372797.

So, you haven’t received any support from Akwa Ibom State government?
We haven’t asked, really. Letters have only just been dispatched. We trust that we shall get positive response. But, in the other two States, where we started earlier, we can safely say that the  governments shall contribute help.

Will candidates pay to participate in the debate?
Not at all, but they are free to support to raise the bar of the event and its reach. For instance, what stops a candidate from paying for live radio/TV coverage? Listen, this is capital intensive; so every hand must be to the pump. Even you journalists, you are doing this gratis just to support the event. That’s a form of sponsorship.
With many prominent and respected personalities in and out of these States angling to attend these debates, plus the kind of event we plan, you know this is big budget stuff. Everyone should contribute something.

How can Nigerians in the three States contribute to make this exercise a success?
We expect the direct input of Nigerians. We expect them to ask questions in those areas that directly affect them in their daily lives because, indeed, we are in this together as a people. We want a progressive and peaceful society. So the inputs by Nigerians are necessary and will be very well appreciated. We expect Nigerians in these States to take advantage of our various media outlets like the print media, the live broadcasts, and online streaming as well as the social media to send in their questions. We will be taking direct questions from people to form part of the body of questions during the debate. 

Now, if you recall what happened in Anambra where Gov. Obiano had to hold a roundtable business talk with the people of the State who were doing well as investors from outside the state, you would see how this brought a positive impact on the State in the end. The aim of this was to bring in these individuals to his State to invest. It served as an open invitation for citizens to do business with the State government. This is the kind of thing that this debate will make possible. Our people staying outside of these States, people who may be interested in investing in the States, will have the opportunity to see this debate online through live streaming and they will be asking questions.

Questions on the business environment of the States will be asked and from these responses by candidates, these potential investors will get to know if the States are okay for them to come in and invest and whether foreign investment will be encouraged by the next administration. Everyone wants to create employment.

What is going to make your debate unique; how is it going to stand out?
We are neutral; we are a dignified people; we are a people of integrity. We have class, and this will show in how we will handle the debate.
This debate is going to be the best because we are not partisan; we don’t belong to any political party.

Also, these debates will give all governorship candidates the opportunity to be at one place at the same time, and face-to-face on one platform with the people of their States watching. You know what that means.
You would notice that during their rallies, these politicians talk to their own people; they address their own supporters and party faithful. The debate will bring them face-to face with a non-partisan audience. There will be the opportunity for people to make direct comparisons of their chances in the elections. The other peculiar finer details cannot and should not be let out now. You will love our debates!

Are members of the public expected to pay to watch this debate?
Yes, those coming to the venue to watch the debate will have to make a little payment to take care of the food and drinks they will be served. In this regard, the charges will be categorised depending on the personalities involved. Apart from the logistical services for which little charges will be made, it is also going to help us control the crowd coming in for the debate. This is basically for security reasons.

Where is the venue for this debate?
For Akwa Ibom, the venue is Ibom Hall along IBB Avenue, Uyo.

Apart from the candidates who will be debating, who are the other personalities Akwa Ibom people should be expecting at the event?
We have concluded arrangements to bring in many very respected Akwa Ibom people for the debate. Anytime soon, we will be announcing who they are and what roles they will be playing at the event. The same for the other two States. It is work in progress.