The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday shunned a debate organised in Benin City by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) for deputy governorship candidates of political parties participating in the July 14, 2012governorship election in the state.
The debate, moderated by Nancy Iloh, was organised to afford the parties the opportunity to sell their programmes and policies to enable the voters in the state make informed choice in the governorship election next month.
No reason was advanced for the absence of the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Johnson Abolagba. Feelers from the party, however, indicated last night that it was a party decision not to attend any debate for the governorship candidate and his deputy.
Two other parties, the Labour Party (LP) and National Conscience Party (NCP) also stayed away from the debate.
Four parties presented their deputy governorship candidates for the debate. They are Dr Pius Odubu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); Mr Felix Konomoore of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Dr. PaulOyarenua of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Elder Isaac ogona of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
The candidates answered questions from a three-man panel consisting of senior journalists selected by the Nigeria Election Debate Group.
The second leg of the debates will bring the governorship candidates together today (Wednesday) while the final leg of the debates will hold on July 5, 2012.
