We were so happy to learn about the Lagos State Governorship Debate that was recently aired and hosted by Channels TV on March 2nd from 7pm to 9pm Nigerian Time. These are certainly the sorts of conversations we would like to see more of in Nigeria so as to elevate the depth and breadth of ideas brought to the governance arena. We hope this year’s Presidential aspirants take note and embrace the recent calls for Presidential debates by Nigerian civic initiatives such as What About Us Nigeria.
According to an official release by Channels TV, “the debate, at the Muson Centre on Lagos Island featured the governorship candidate of APGA, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, Mr. Yomi Tokoya of the ANPP, the Lagos State Governor and ACN candidate Babatunde Fashola, Dr Ade Dosunmu of the PDP and Mr Jaiyeola Randle, Flagbearer of the SDMP.
The contestants dwelt on issues of unemployment, housing, security revenue mobilization, education and corruption.
While the APGA governorship candidate Dr Dominic prescribed industrialization driven by constant electricity supply as the solution to the problem of unemployment, Mr Tokoya the ANPP Flagbearer promised to address the housing problem in Lagos by utilising locally made building materials.
The Lagos state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola cited the absence of kidnapping and bombings in Lagos state, as well as the massive curbing of armed robbery as a reflection of the strength of security in the state.
Things took a dramatic turn when Mr Jaiyeola Randle accused governor Fashola of being unresponsive and inaccessible.
Governor Fashola responded by reminding Mr Randle that the issue over which he sought the governor’s audience was an environmental one that was being tackled by the relevant authorities.
He also reminded Mr Randle that his house was an environmental menace having being constructed over a drainage.
While the PDP candidate Dr Ade Dosunmu criticised the absence of accountability in the execution of projects in the state, governor Fashola reminded Dosunmu that he had flouted a court order prohibiting him from parading himself as the PDP governorship candidate.”
In case, you were not able to watch the debates on Channels Television, they are now available on You Tube and have been embedded below for all those who missed it. Hat tip to Gidilounge for the update.
Source: cp-africa.com