Poor attendance mars Ondo guber debate

AKURE — FOUR of the seven deputy governorship candidates invited for debate by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group, NEDG, ahead of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State shunned the invitation.

Those that shunned the invitation include Toyin Tenabe of the APC; Ijitola Modupe, BNPP; Babatunde Bidemi, CAP; and Olayemi Damilola of CPC.

However, Olayemi Damilola reportedly sent an apology letter that he was bereaved, hence his absence from the debate.

Dputy governorship candidates that attended include Ikuewumi Rotimi,ANPP; Tolulope Clement, ACPN, and a woman – Ogbetu Benedicta of the NCP.

They were asked their individual blue-prints for the state on employment, income generation, their party’s economic blue-prints, local government administration, road construction, housing and electricity generation, amongst others.

Although the candidates showed they were not prepared for the task ahead as they   fumbled and wobbled while answering the questions from the panellists.

The candidates agreed to improve on all the sectors that the present administration has failed to measure up to standard.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of NESG, Aremo Alimi, said that the group is  broad based national coalition of media, civil society organisations, professional association and the private sector.