*NUJ partners organisations to engage them ln debate
By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Governorship Candidates of political parties in Akwa Ibom State seeking votes in 2023 general elections to become the next governor of the state will on January 29, 2023, proof their individual worth before the electorate at a debate tagged: “2023 Akwa Ibom State Governorship Debate.”
The debate slated to hold at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo, will be organised by the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and has so far 20 organised pressure groups and other organisations within the state and in diaspora who have signed pact to collaborate with the union to ensure an impactful and result oriented exercise thereafter.
During the unveiling of the debate’s logo at NUJ Press Centre Information Drive, Uyo on Saturday, an official hashtag for the debate, official Facebook page, a google sheet for questions to be sent to the question bank, contacts to reach the committee and an official email address were also unveiled.
At the ceremony, Chairman of the Union’s Political Committee, Comrade Aniekan Udofia said that so far, six out of 18 political parties in the state have already been invited to participate at the event.
Udofia said that the committee reached out to all the 18 political parties for the debate but so far, only six indicated interest to participate in the debate.
According to him, those that indicated interest are; Young Peoples Party( YPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
African Alliance Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
“Today is for the Unveiling of the official logo for the debate and other information that the public needs to know.
Why have we chosen to go this way? Akwa Ibom State is unique in many ways. Excellence defines us, and we have a strong identity. On this ground, we want the Akwa Ibom Governorship Debate to have its unique identity.
“Today we would also unveil the official hashtag for the debate, the official Facebook page, a google sheet for questions to be sent to our question bank, contacts to reach the committee and an official email address.
*The 2023 Akwa Ibom Governorship is scheduled to be held on Sunday, 29 January 2023, at Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort at 4 pm. The venue for the debate has been fully paid for, and we are set for the day.
“The debate will be broadcast live on 11 radio stations, 6 television stations and streamed live on several social media platforms for the people to hear firsthand the plans the invited governorship candidates have for the state.
Only 6 out of the 18 political parties are invited to the debate. This committee wrote a letter informing all political parties about the proposed debate, but only the shortlisted 6 reached out to the committee to indicate an interest in participating. We cannot take any responsibility for why 12 political parties are not shortlisted, Udofia explained.
He said that to ensure neutrality and unbias, the committee did not solicit financial support from any governoship candidate or political parties as rules of the debate will be strictly adhered to.
About the partners, Comrade Udofia said that, the Governorship Debate was only driven by the NUJ but is owned by many.
“As of today, the partners in this debate are over 20. To mention a few: Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC)
Nigerian Society of Engineers, (NSE), a significant partner that is committing enormous resources to the debate
National Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE) Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA), Franklyn Ever Bright Farms Limited Ibom People’s Congress, USA Inc. IPC,.
“Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, USA Inc. (AKISAN), ActionAid Nigeria, Clement Isong Foundation, (CIF), Foundation for Partnership Initiative in Niger Delta, (PIND)
Enough is Enough, Nigeria, YIAGA, Africa, Youth Alive Foundation, Primehill Limited, Capital Luxury, and Youth for Change Initiative”
Some of the partners, Engr. Uwem Akpan of NSE, Mr. Citizen Matthew of IPC and Mrs. Gordian Godwin of CIF who spoke respectively described the planned debate as apt.
According to them, Akwa Ibom desire a government that would be credible, accountable and productive. One that would be focused driven in the development of the state, her people as well as professionals to compete favourably with others anywhere in the world.
In his remarks, the Chairman of NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk, said the debate is hoped to give Akwa Ibom people an opportunity to make good choice for the person who will govern the state.
He said the union would ensure that the debate will be landmark exercise that be acceptable to all the people and bring the state to the world map.
