Foundation organises debate

Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

An international foundation, Push Africa Foundation (PAF), has organised a debate for the candidates of political parties in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

The foundation’s Country Director, Egberamen Doris, described the debate as an important landmark in the state’s democratic journey, saying it would deepen democracy and the growing maturity of governance and politics in the state.

She said the proposed debate would give the candidates an opportunity to sell their vision and plans to the state and give the electorate the forum to assess the candidates.

Egberamen noted that the event scheduled to hold October 28, would be conducted independently and exclusively by key stakeholders.

She said the foundation mobilised a Bayelsa State Election Debate Group (BED-G), comprising broadcast organisation, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs), civil society groups, faith-based organisations and professional bodies for the event.

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“It is both an expression of the deepening of democracy and a milestone that underscores the growing maturity of governance and politics in the state. It will give the candidates an opportunity to sell their vision and plans to the state’s electorate and, simultaneously, an opportunity for the electorate to assess what the candidates have to offer.

“We have mobilized a Bayelsa State Elections Debate Group (BED-G); this group is a coalition of broadcast organisations, NGOs, civil society and faith based organisation as well as professional groups who are committed to deepening democracy and entrenching an enduring democratic culture through organised public/media debates. We are proposing that this should be a continued culture for the people of Bayelsa State.

“The BED-G is a carefully selected non-partisan, non-religious and non-profit oriented group under the supervision of PUSH AFRICA FOUNDATION with the primary mandate of organising and hosting a two-hour live televised debates for all key governorship candidates contesting the forthcoming election.”

“PUSH AFRICA’s core objective is advocacy for poverty reduction in Nigeria and Africa by providing opportunities for the youth and women to engage in entrepreneurial development and capacity building programmes both in the vocational and agricultural sector as we think this will help reduce unemployment and ensure sustainable job creation and subsequently drive economic growth in Nigeria.”