By Kingsley Ohens
Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Team Asue Media Organisation (TAMO) has expressed its strong support for the upcoming NUJ/BON organised governorship debate featuring candidates vying for the Office of the Governor of Edo State.
In a statement signed by Erhabor Emokpae on Tuesday and made available to newsmen in Benin City, TAMO said “the debate that is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, is a crucial element of the democratic process, which will allow the various candidates to present their visions, share their policies, and engage directly with the electorate in an atmosphere and setting that is completely different from the rowdy open campaigns that are presently going on.
“The debate will provide a platform for candidates to articulate their positions on critical issues that affect communities, the state, and perhaps, the nation. The debate will foster transparency and help the voters to hold candidates accountable to their words. In this type of debate session, voters can assess the candidates’ performances, their level of competence, capacity, their ability to think on their feet, and their commitment to serving the public.
“It is for these reasons that TAMO enjoins all candidates to respect the voters and organisers by presenting themselves for this debate. It is hoped that no candidate, this time, will treat the idea of a public debate with contempt, disdain and disrespect both to the organisers and voters as has been the case in the recent past where some candidates openly scoffed at the idea of an organised debate.
“As we gear up for the debate, all eligible voters in Edo are encouraged to engage actively in this process. It is essential to stay informed, ask questions, and critically evaluate the responses provided by each candidate. Participating in the democratic process empowers citizens and strengthens our society.
“We commend the NUJ /BON and other media outlets involved in organising the debate for their efforts in promoting civic engagement and providing a space for constructive dialogue. Once again, we urge all candidates to participate actively, respect differing opinions, and focus on issues rather than personal attacks,” the statement read.
