The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)/Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG),Thursday shelved presidential debate on economic policy billed to hold on November 15th,this year.
The debate was envisaged to provide a unique platform and opportunity for dominant presidential candidates to discuss their economic agenda in an environment of civil discourse.
‘Laoye Jaiyeola,Chief Executive Officer,NESG,in a statement,explained that a critical assessment of events surrounding recent engagements with the presidential candidates, as well as subsequent statements from political parties, necessitates a review of the proposed debate.
He said:”In this regard, the Presidential Debate on Economic Policy will no longer take place as planned due to these prevailing circumstances. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this decision may cause our stakeholders and all Nigerians.
“As a non-partisan organisation with a mandate to foster the establishment of an economic foundation for democracy, the NESG will actively seek independent direct engagements with the candidates on critical economic policy reform issues and prescriptions”
“We envision a Nigeria where election debates are an integral part of the electoral process, and candidates are eager to engage citizens in discussions about their mandates, experience, ability, capacity, knowledge, and overall competence for the positions they seek. We remain committed to providing a platform for such engagements in the national interest”