NEDG: We weren’t influenced to exclude any party from presidential debate

The Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) has refuted claims that it deliberately excluded some political parties from the presidential and vice presidential debates for the 2019 elections.

The vice-presidential debate holds on Friday, while the presidential debate is slated for January 19, 2019.

In a statement signed by Eddie Emesiri, executive secretary, NEDG, the group said both it and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) were not influenced in picking the five political parties to participate in the debates.

Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN); Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) and Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) were the five candidates chosen for the debate.

Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress, who is among those excluded from the debate had threatened legal action against the organisers.

But in its reaction, NEDG said the five parties parties were chosen “through an independently administered multi-stage process” with results from an online poll and survey.  

“Following our disclosure of the participating parties earlier in the week, our attention has been drawn to some reactions in the public space over the decision to limit the participation to five parties and exclusion of some party flag bearers from the debate,” the statement read.

“Considering the vast number of contending parties, the decision to limit to five parties was taken at the beginning of our process to ensure ease of management for the debates.

“All the stages of the selection process were focused on political parties, taking into consideration the importance of national spread and diversity. Focus was not on specific individuals or candidates.

“We wish to emphatically state that the NEDG and BON were not influenced or induced by anyone to include or exclude any political party from the debate.

“We understand the disappointment of some political parties who would have wished to see their candidates share their visions for the country at the Debates.

“However, Nigerians have spoken through the multi-stage process and we urge all Nigerians to respect their choice as we abide by the outcome of the independent party selection process.”