In Benin City, the debate organized by the Edo State Council Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday saw the absence of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo. Meanwhile, Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Patience Ndidi-Key, and Action Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Derek Izedonmwen, attended.
Akpata strongly criticized the no-shows of the APC and PDP candidates, labeling their absence as a disregard for both the NUJ and the Edo people. He urged voters to hold the candidates accountable at the polls and to demand transparency from those aspiring to govern.
Akpata suggested that the APC and PDP candidates were relying on violence and manipulation rather than presenting their platforms to the electorate. He called on media organizations to denounce the candidates’ absence and hold them accountable.
PRP’s Ndidi commented that undue regard for the APC and PDP has led to their disregard for the electorate. ADC’s Izedonmwen compared the situation to President Tinubu’s 2023 debate absence and urged Edo voters to oppose such practices.
Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) Executive Secretary, Eddie Emessiri, condemned the absence of the candidates, describing it as a disrespectful act towards the event and the voters. He expressed disappointment that despite efforts by BON, NEDG, and NUJ to facilitate the debate, the candidates chose to stay away at the last minute.