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The Nigeria Debate Consortium, a coalition of five media organisations, has scheduled a governorship debate in Lagos for November 8 as it begins a series of public engagements with candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The debate, which will start at 7 pm at The Hub by IALA, House of His Glory, Marwa, Lekki, will bring participating governorship candidates together to present their programmes and answer questions on issues affecting residents of the state.
The consortium comprises Channels Television, TVC News, The PUNCH, TheCable and Vanguard Newspaper.
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In a statement signed by TVC journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Channels Television General Manager, Kingsley Uranta, and obtained on Sunday, the organisers said the Lagos debate was designed to give voters an opportunity to scrutinise candidates’ policy proposals and assess their preparedness to govern, rather than rely solely on campaign promises.
The debate is expected to focus on transportation, infrastructure, security, housing, education, healthcare, job creation and economic growth.
Explaining the rationale for the initiative, the consortium said the exercise reflected the media’s responsibility to inform voters and promote democratic accountability.
Credit: The Cable
“Voters deserve more than campaign promises; they deserve clear answers, credible plans and an opportunity to assess those seeking their mandate.
“This debate will place issues, ideas and the future of Lagos at the centre of the electoral conversation. Our responsibility is to help citizens make informed choices based on what candidates propose and how convincingly they demonstrate their capacity to deliver,” the statement quoted the station as saying.
The organisers also stressed the importance of requiring candidates to explain how they intended to implement their campaign promises.
“A governorship debate is an opportunity for candidates to move beyond political rhetoric and demonstrate the substance of their vision for Lagos. Citizens need to understand not only what candidates promise, but how they intend to deliver,” the statement added.
It said providing a fair platform for the engagement would promote accountability and help voters make informed decisions.
According to the consortium, all participating candidates will be subjected to the same rules, speaking times and moderation standards, with fairness, neutrality, equal opportunity and editorial independence guiding the proceedings.
Experienced journalists will moderate the debate, which will be broadcast to national and digital audiences through the participating media organisations’ platforms.
The organisers urged Lagos residents, particularly eligible voters, young people, civil society organisations, professional groups and members of the business community, to follow the debate and engage with the issues and choices facing the state.
