[size=14pt]The debate that wasn’t[/size]
NEXT Editorial
March 16, 2011 12:57PMT

These days, debates are the rave. Basking in an increasingly robust democratic space, further deepened by the fact that we seem, for once, spoilt for choice, Nigerians have aggressively sought to interrogate their leaders on their motivations for contesting public office as well as their plans.

In the January governorship rerun elections for Delta State, the debate offered a rare opportunity for candidates to be engaged directly by citizens in a no-holds-barred environment, and just a few weeks ago, Lagosians were treated to another robust, substantial debate where the state governor was made to account for his stewardship while his opponents made the case for why they were better caretakers for the country's commercial capital. It gave us one of the finest soundbites from this campaign season: "It's not their age that is the problem," the governor said. "It's the age of their ideas."

Many Nigerians, therefore, had great expectations for our country's first vice presidential TV debate, especially since the cast of vice presidential candidates is a colourful one that includes respected cleric Tunde Bakare, famed corporate whiz Fola Adeola, and experienced public servant John Oyegun. Also expected - until he chickened out without explanation - was former governor and now Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

Unfortunately, the debate we got was neither the debate we expected nor that which we deserved - and it had little to do with the disappearance of Mr. Sambo. Save for perfunctory references to their principals being "the best candidate for president that Nigerians have," none of the debaters was able to make a solid case for why their ticket is far and above the rest the best choice for Nigeria at this time.

Candidates instead turned to sweeping generalizations as they struggled to outdo themselves in offering choice words for the People's Democratic Party. If we didn't know any better, it would be easy to conclude that there are only two parties in this contest: PDP and The Others.

While there is something to be said for civility and geniality, the debaters were rather too comfortable and self-satisfied and appeared in no hurry to draw sharp contrasts in ideology, mission and strategy, almost as if there was no hope that this debate would serve any useful purpose for the electorate.

The debate was also frustratingly void of specifics. A question about developing our non-oil economy, for instance, got a rambling answer from Mr. Bakare that instead took Nigerians on a history lesson; and Mr. Adeola's prescription for a robust economy was for Nigerians to go on an undefined "corruption fast" - a recommendation that is both impractical and difficult to understand. Even the quality of the conversation left a lot to be desired.

In one cringeworthy moment, candidates grouped women and the disabled together in yet another instance of obtuseness in correctly deconstructing issues and offering constructive ideas. Whilst the debate was disappointing, in the final analysis, we take solace in the fact that democracy is a process, and this debate is a huge step forward, being the first of its kind.

It is also remarkable that the post-debate analysis in the media has put the president on the hotseat, even as he seeks every possible excuse to avoid the scrutiny that a TV debate offers. Over the next few weeks, there will be more debates, including the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and the What About Us (WAU) youth debates.

Our hope is that subsequent producers have paid close attention to the failings from the first and that Nigerians are finally offered a robust and engaging political debate truly worthy of our time - one that puts the feet of the candidates to the fire. Because that, after all, is the whole point of it.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/5683556-184/story.csp

It is what happens when you gather jobbers, lightweights, opportunists, "prophets" and professional name-droppers in the same room to debate Nigeria's future. I recall one of the candidates having to read up his entire reply to the question on what a Vice Presidents was. . . you would at least think that a man would know why he was running for office offhead?

Beaf:

It is what happens when you gather jobbers, lightweights, opportunists, "prophets" and professional name-droppers in the same room to debate Nigeria's future. I recall one of the candidates having to read up his entire reply to the question on what a Vice Presidents was. . . you would at least think that a man would know why he was running for office offhead?

Lol  - abeg give the guy a break - at least he came prepared rather than blabb his way thru -  The worst culprit are the ones that did not attended.  Who would want to pass the offer of appearing before the electorates  unless you plan to rig.

blacksta:

Lol - abeg give the guy a break - at least he came prepared rather than blabb his way thru - The worst culprit are the ones that did not attended. Who would want to pass the offer of appearing before the electorates unless you plan to rig.

Hmmm! So, it is better for a group of empty people to waste our time? How you can defend someone who had to read the reason he was seeking election from a prepared script, is absolutely confounding.

These people initially refused to campaign, unlike others who have been on the stump for weeks, meeting the people and telling them their plans and how they hope to accomplish them.
Now, this lazy lot, when given free airtime and thrust on our TV screens, could only come out as 100% mediocre. No wonder they aren't campaigning.

But emmm

WHERE WAS [size=18pt]SAMBO[/size]

There isanother debate today by 6pm on NN24 (DSTV 414). I hope ur amiable clueless GEJ will not be attending another interview with Genevieve!!!

What's the meaning of this backward rubbish?

At least they showed courage and interest by showing up to talk to Nigerians. The fact that you cluelessly highlighted their answers to questions asked means Nigerians were able to listen to access the candidates, this is the main objective and reason for the debate while the same Nigerians didn't get the same opportunity to listen to the absent weak, scared and incompetent cowards.

GEJ and his supporters are the most clueless and dumbest people in the world. Shameless and pathetic people,

This debate is not the first in Nigeria.

In 1993, there was a debate between Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe (Abiola's running mate on the SDP ticket) and Sylvester Ugo (Bashir Tofa's running mate on the NRC ticket).


I remember that it was interesting watching that debate just as the Abiola/Tofa tango.