The Labour Party (LP) has vehemently opposed its exclusion from an upcoming televised debate for governorship candidates in Ondo State, asserting that it misleads voters ahead of the November 16 election.
The debate, organized by Channels Television, is set to feature candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who have been described as the “leading candidates” for the governorship position.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Johnson Egbodofo, Director of Publicity for the Labour Party Campaign Organisation in Ondo State, criticized Channels Television for failing to include their candidate, Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni.
He highlighted that such exclusion undermines the democratic process and misrepresents the political landscape in Ondo.
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Egbodofo emphasized that the party has reached out to Channels Television in hopes of rectifying the situation.
He stated, “We contacted Channels and its officials to express our concerns, particularly to Seun Okinbaloye, the anchor of the debate. It is crucial that the media does not mislead the public by presenting a skewed view of the candidates.”
The Labour Party’s statement noted that it has historically been a major political force in the state, having governed from 2009 to 2017. Egbodofo reminded the public of the party’s past successes, asserting, “Labour Party is the immediate predecessor of the current APC administration in Ondo State and one of the largest parties in Nigeria today.”
He further questioned the rationale behind designating only the APC and PDP candidates as leading, suggesting that it could manipulate public perception.
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“This debate format is not only unfair but also risks distorting the choices available to the electorate,” he said.
Egbodofo reiterated the party’s readiness to participate in the debate, insisting that Channels Television must ensure fair representation of all viable candidates.
“If Channels cannot provide equitable coverage for all parties, it should reconsider holding the debate altogether,” he added.
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