August 15 poll: Security alert, candidates’ withdrawal scuttle Osun debate By Kemi Aina
August 15 poll: Security alert, candidates’ withdrawal scuttle Osun debate
By Kemi Aina
Security concerns and the decision of some leading governorship candidates to stay away have forced the cancellation of the planned Osun State governorship debate, less than two weeks before the August 15 election.
The organisers announced the cancellation less than two weeks before the poll, a development that has sparked concerns among voters and civil society groups over the dwindling opportunities for candidates to publicly present their manifesto and engage with the electorate.
The debate, scheduled for Saturday in Osogbo, was jointly organised by Unique FM, Rave FM, Diamond FM and Fresh FM. In a statement, the organisers said the decision was unanimously reached after receiving adverse security reports and noting the unwillingness of some frontline candidates to participate under the prevailing circumstances.
They stressed that the safety of participants, guests and the public remained paramount, adding that any future arrangements would be communicated through appropriate channels.
The event was expected to feature candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and the African Action Congress (AAC), providing them with a platform to articulate their policy proposals and respond to questions from voters ahead of the election.
The cancellation has attracted criticism from stakeholders, who described it as a setback for democratic accountability.
Media executive and civil society advocate, Jare Tiamiyu, said the absence of key candidates deprived voters of the opportunity to assess their programmes and leadership vision, describing the development as a missed opportunity for meaningful democratic engagement.
However, some residents defended the position of certain candidates.
One resident, Mayowa, claimed that the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, had opted to participate in a separate debate organised by Channels Television instead of the cancelled event.
Others maintained that all governorship candidates should be prepared to engage directly with the electorate before seeking their mandate.
The cancellation comes at a critical stage of the electioneering campaign as political parties intensify efforts to mobilise support ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Election observers have consistently identified public debates as an essential platform for voters to compare candidates’ policies, leadership qualities and vision for governance before casting their ballots.
