2023 ELECTIONS: Why We Can’t Force Candidates To Attend Debates – INEC

Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that it lacks the power to compel candidates vying for various elective positions to attend debates.

Speaking at the quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, noted that it is the right of candidates to decide to attend debates or not in a democratic setting.

In his words;

“I am not sure we can compel someone to attend the debate. You cannot do that. Even in most advanced countries, you can’t compel someone to do anything in a democracy. Debate, just like voting, is a democratic right. We know debates are to make citizens be better informed.

“However, there is an unspoken consequence for candidates not participating. I also understand that some candidates prefer not to attend in order to avoid making mistakes that would drive voters from them.

“We are, however, happy with the job the election debate group is doing. The effort of the media in this aspect should be supported, but they should also be non-partisan.

“Many political parties have come to complain to us that they are not invited to debate. In 2019, we have over 70 presidential candidates and now we have 18.

“I know it will be difficult to take all over the along but we should try to accommodate them.”