THE ASSURANCE OF PRIDE

"confidence is a face that stares directly at criticism and speaks with deserved boldness"

 on the 26th of September 1960 the first televised presidential debate between Senator John Kennedy and the incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon was viewed by over 70million people in the United States only. The organization of debates for candidates running for public offices is no new business in the election and campaign process as it helps to evaluate the candidates competence and views on policy options. It also provides an opportunity for candidates to come forward and lay out a blueprint plan for positive progress in the presence of an audience they intend to govern, for which they can be held accountable for every word spoken.

A look at the succession of events these few weeks before the April 9th elections shed some light on what to expect really.

On the 11th of march 2011the NN24 TV station aired the Vice Presidential debate between four political parties. The Vice Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Mr Tunde Bakare was present, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Mr Fola Adeola was also present and Mr John Odigie Oyegun of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Conspicuously absent was Architect Namadi Sambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Well not to worry, the promise of a presidential debate coming up was looked upon with high expectations as the belief that if the PDP chickened out of the Vice presidential debate, they should be bold enough to bring out their big masquerade during the Presidential debate. 

To the surprise of everyone 24hours before the NN24 TV Presidential debate, the incumbent President and PDP Presidential  aspirant Mr Goodluck Jonathan granted an interview to our own koko master, D Banj in an exclusive one on one session which was aired on Silverbird TV on the 17th of March. This time around, there is cause for worry, as the questions arise:

Why should PDP Presidential & Vice presidential candidate absent themselves from public debates if they have tangible offers for the Nigerian people, what exactly is this supposed to mean?

On what basis does Mr President expected to be elected if he bluntly refuses to make himself available for public appraisal given an opportunity such as a debate platform?

First there was the matter of a Presidential delegate welcoming Bode George from jail, next the absence of His Vice in person of Namadi Sambo from the Vice Presidential debate, then his own absence from the Presidential debate only to grant an entertainer an exclusive interview. Hmmm, na wa o.

Once again not to worry because this time around votes surely will count, as the machinery of manipulation cannot be rolled out unseen anymore. 

The new Nigeria begins now.