The planned Akwa Ibom 2027 Election Debate is set to gain a technical dimension as the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Akwa Ibom State Branch, has thrown its weight behind the initiative of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The NSE, through its state chairman, Engr. Francis Uwah, FNSE, pledged the professional body’s participation in the planning and execution of the debate during a partnership meeting with the Debate Planning Committee in Uyo, the state capital.

Uwah said engineers were ready to bring their professional expertise to the project, describing the partnership as an opportunity for the NSE to contribute to an exercise expected to place the candidates and their programmes before the electorate.

He expressed appreciation to the NUJ for involving the engineering body in the debate initiative, assuring that the NSE would work with the planning committee to ensure a successful hosting of the event.

The NSE chairman said the organisation was particularly interested in contributing to the technical aspects of the planning and execution of the debate.

Chairman of the Debate Planning Committee, Comrade Ndanti Ekuh, described the partnership as a significant technical addition to the project, saying the involvement of engineers would strengthen the planning process and enhance the credibility of the exercise.

Ekuh said the committee was committed to providing a level playing field for all candidates participating in the debate, irrespective of their political affiliation.

He disclosed that the committee would begin issuing invitation letters to the candidates from Thursday, October 1, marking the next phase in preparations for the much-anticipated election debate.

The partnership places the NSE alongside the NUJ in an initiative designed to provide a public platform for candidates in the 2027 Akwa Ibom governorship election to articulate their programmes and respond to issues of concern to the electorate.