The success of the proposed Akwa Ibom 2027 Election Debate will depend on how effectively it reaches rural voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, has warned.
Onuoha said the debate would lose its electoral value if it remained an elite-centred event in Uyo, urging organisers to ensure that voters in remote communities have access to candidates’ positions and policy proposals ahead of the 2027 elections.
The REC gave the warning on Wednesday, November 4, when he received the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 2027 Election Debate Planning Committee, led by its chairman, Comrade Ndanti Ekuh, at his office.
He argued that the people who would ultimately determine electoral outcomes must be able to hear directly from candidates seeking their votes, rather than relying solely on established political loyalties.
“Do everything possible to make sure that the debate is not an elitist event that starts and ends in Uyo. From our survey, most of these elites don’t usually come out to vote,” Onuoha said.
He added that voters in rural communities should be given the opportunity to assess candidates independently, warning that failure to reach them could undermine the objectives of the initiative.
The REC also disclosed his personal commitment to the debate, saying he would attend to listen to candidates explain their intentions for the state and justify their bids for elective offices.
According to him, the debate would provide a neutral platform for candidates to articulate their programmes, while those seeking re-election would be required to account for their performance in office.
“Those contesting for elective position must be given a neutral platform to tell the people what they plan to do and those that were elected earlier who are now running for a second term must give account of what they did in the first term and why they think they deserve a second term,” he said.
Onuoha described the initiative as a significant contribution to electoral development, noting that debates could strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process by encouraging issue-based campaigns and informed voting.
He commended the NUJ leadership and the planning committee for the initiative, expressing support for efforts to improve voter decision-making ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, Ekuh said the committee’s visit was part of its consultations with stakeholders to ensure a credible and successful debate.
He described the NUJ and INEC as sister institutions with a shared commitment to electoral neutrality, assuring that all participating candidates would be treated equally.
The committee chairman disclosed that invitations had been sent to several candidates, many of whom had indicated interest and signed participation forms.
He said the process of issuing invitations was ongoing, adding that the debate would receive extensive media coverage through national and local television and radio stations, as well as social media platforms.
