By VINCENT UJUMADU

The Nigerian Elections Debate Group, NEDG, a coalition of broadcast organizations, civil societies and professional groups committed to deepening democracy and entrenching an enduring democratic culture through organized and televised live debates, is to organize debates for all the candidates and their running mates in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Members of NEDG include Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria, BON; Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE; Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ; Alliance for Credible Election, ACE; Nigeria Bar Association, NBA; DAAR Communications Plc and National Council of Women Societies, NCWS. Also in the group are Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Electoral Reform Network, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Centre for Democracy and Development and Transition Monitoring Group.

A statement signed by High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a member of Board of Trustees of NEDG said the live debate for Anambra governorship candidates and their deputies, who emerged from the recent primaries of the various political parties, will be broadcast live to Nigerians in all BON member stations.
Soludo, Ogene, Odenigbo, Uzoh, Mrs. Ekwunife , Okonkwo, Ndubuisi and Ifeanyi Uba

Soludo, Ogene, Odenigbo, Uzoh, Mrs. Ekwunife , Okonkwo, Ndubuisi and Ifeanyi Uba

According to Dokpesi, the debates and associated programmes are aimed at giving Nigerians a unique opportunity to meet all the candidates and know their programmes for Anambra State.

The exercise, he said, will assist the electorate in making informed choices during the election.

You’re plotting to present two candidates, KOWA accuses PDP, APGA, LP
KOWA Party, one of the political parties that have nominated candidates for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Labour Party, LP of perfecting plans to rig the election by presenting two candidates each for the election.

State chairman of KOWA Party, Prince Isaac Onuka in an interview in Awka yesterday said his party would go to court if INEC fails to make a categorical statement on what he called the dangerous developments in the three political parties.

He said: “PDP, APGA and LP have made underground conspiracy to rig the forthcoming election as was done by PDP during the rerun senatorial election between Dr. Andy Uba and Prince Nocholas Ukachukwu. The so-called factions in the three parties were created by their leaders to present double candidates because PDP got away with it after Andy Uba and Ukachukwu told voters to vote PDP and forget candidates as they would settle after the election.

“Now, PDP is cunningly presenting Uba and Tony Nwoye, APGA is presenting Willy Obiano and Chike Obidigbo and LP is presenting Ifeanyi Ubah and Peter Nwosu. These parties are deliberately doing this to create the impression of the existence of factions in their parties and KOWA Party will not allow it.

The so-called faction is a mere ploy and the parties are doing it because they are afraid of KOWA Party and its governorshipcandidate, Chief Denis Oguguo. “But I believe in the ability of INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega to know that these parties are only out to deceive the people. If these parties believe they are popular in the state, they should present a candidate each and allow Anambra people to decide who will be the next governor of the state.

“KOWA Party wants to warn that any attempt by any party to present double candidates will be resisted as we will be forced to go to court to stop such deceit because Anambra people are tired of being taken for a ride.

DPP promises to lift Anambra
Governorship Candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, Mr. Chijioke Ndubuisi, has promised to take Anambra State to the next level if elected governor.

He spoke shortly after he emerged as DPP’s standard bearer for the November 16 election. He was returned unopposed by delegates at the party’s congress held at Choice Hotel, Awka.

Ndubuisi, who contested the governorship election in 2010 on the plank of the National Democratic Party (NDP), thanked the delegates and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him.
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