Group Organizes Debate For Candidates Ahead Of Bayelsa Gubernatorial Poll

The Push Africa Foundation (PAF), a nongovernmental foundation, has organized a debate for the gubernatorial candidates ahead of the November 16, governorship poll in Bayelsa.

The Country Director of the foundation, Egberamen Doris, revealed the development in a press statement over the weekend.

She described the development as an important landmark in the political journey of the state. Adding that, the event would afford candidates contesting in the election the opportunity to sell their vision for the state to the electorates.

She said “This event will enable the Bayelsa State electorate the opportunity to hear firsthand from the gubernatorial candidates; their intentions and aspirations through an equal opportunity platform. Sponsorship for this event is derived from funding from international donor agencies and other local and international interest groups.

“It is both an expression of the deepening of democracy and a milestone that underscores the growing maturity of governance and politics in the state. It will give the candidates an opportunity to sell their vision and plans to the state’s electorate and, simultaneously, an opportunity for the Electorate to assess what the Candidates have to offer.”

She also revealed that the foundation was collaborating with the Bayelsa State Elections Debate Group, BED-G and other civil society groups in organizing the debate.

The debate has however been scheduled to take place on October 28, 2019.

She further said “We have mobilized a Bayelsa State Elections Debate Group, BED-G, this group is a coalition of broadcast organizations, NGOs, civil society and faith-based organization as well as professional groups who are committed to deepening democracy and entrenching an enduring democratic culture through organized public/media debates plus we are proposing that this should be a continued culture for the people of Bayelsa State.

“The BED-G is a carefully selected non-partisan, non-religious and non-profit oriented group under the supervision of PUSH AFRICA FOUNDATION with the primary mandate of organizing and hosting a 2 hour live televised debates for all key gubernatorial candidates contesting for the forthcoming election come November 16th 2019.

“PUSH AFRICA’s core objective is advocacy for poverty reduction in Nigeria and Africa by providing opportunities for the youth and women to engage in entrepreneurial development and capacity building programmes both in the vocational and agricultural sector as we think this will help reduce unemployment and ensure sustainable job creation and subsequently drive economic growth in Nigeria.

“We have been interested and strongly involved in the leadership and governance of the democratic system in Nigeria and Africa; we believe that when credible leaders are elected into public office it will consequently drive development and reduce corruption and poverty to a great degree.”