YOUTH ORGANISATIONS HOST TELEVISED DEBATE FOR OSUN ELECTIONS
“Of all the institutions of a democratic society, there’s none as formidable as an awakened and conscious citizenry.” – Shehu Sanni
Osun’s governorship election on Saturday August 9, 2014 is the second election in the 2014/2015 election season.
Osun Pro-Democracy Youth (OPDY), LYNX Nigeria & Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria), will host a televised debate on Sunday, August 3rd at the Leisure Spring Hotel, Iwo/Ibadan Expressway, Osogbo.
There are 20 candidates vying for the position of Governor and four candidates were invited to participate in the debate based on the results of an online poll: incumbent governor Ogbeni Rauf AREGBESOLA, of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Senator Iyiola OMISORE of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Alhaji Fatai AKINBADE of the Labour Party (LP); and Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer, Elder Segun AKINWUSI. A fifth candidate, Mr Ibrahim ADEOTI of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was invited on the basis of being the youngest of the 20 candidates at 42 years old.
At this time, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP is the only candidate that has not formally responded on his participation.
Describing the critical importance of the debate, the Executive Director of LYNX said, “Youth represent 70% of Nigeria’s population yet their issues are not adequately represented in the national and local agenda. Youth development issues are integral to the development of a community and a nation.”
The host organisations are committed to growing the culture of debates in Nigeria because issues-based politics is essential to a leadership that serves its citizens. Candidates are expected to make public their plans for Osun youth with special focus on education, employment, enterprise & empowerment. The debate provides an opportunity for candidates to engage the audience on these issues, which are of critical importance to young people in the state. In addition to prepared questions on these topics, questions will also be taken from the audience as well as via SMS, Twitter and Facebook.
“This is the first debate in Osun’s 23 year-old history and Osun residents, especially young people are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to decide their own fate based on the facts.” Said Maruf Adewole, the Secretary of OPDY.
Responding to concerns about safety, ‘Yemi Adamolekun, the Executive Director of EiE Nigeria said, “Security will be provided with the support of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Security (DSS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and private security to ensure that fears around security are unfounded.” In addition, as a non-partisan event, political party clothing or materials will NOT be allowed in the venue.
The debate is endorsed by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and will be broadcast in partnership with Channels Television and Osun State Broadcasting Service (OSBC). It is also supported by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA Osun), Leisure Spring Hotel and YNAIJA.
The debate is free and open to the public.
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The Osun Pro-Democracy Youths (www.pdynigeria.org) , which include youth representatives at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, the State of Osun Youth Parliament, Voluntary Youths and other youth-focused Organizations and NGOs. OPDY is a coalition of youth organisations, associations, societies and NGOs with a common interest on how to reshape our democracy in terms of encouraging active youths involvement in democratic process, ensuring free, fair and credible elections, educating the youths against election violence with a view to promoting good governance and enhanced leadership at all levels.
This coalition is also aimed at deepening young people’s knowledge about democracy. We are committed to persuading youths towards positive political participation and value reorientation towards having the Nigeria of our dreams.
Linking the Youth of Nigeria through Exchange (www.lynxnigeria.org), founded in 2004, is a child and youth development organization with a mission develop socially responsiblie citizenship among Nigerian children and youth through civic and human rights education, financial education and economic empowerment community service learning.
LYNX-NIGERIA aims to reverse the trend of youth disengagement from society by increasing their self-esteem through critical reflections on history, building a sense of democratic consciousness and practicing the art of servant leadership. Participants in our programs learn the values of tolerance and respect and the importance of individual and collective contributions to the development of strong communities and a more developed nation.
EnoughisEnough Nigeria (www.eienigeria.org) is a coalition of individuals and youth-led organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through advocacy, activism and the mobilization of the youth population as responsible citizens. The coalition includes The Future Project; Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN); Education as a Vaccine (EVA); Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND); LYNX Nigeria, Budgit, RISE Networks; Chocolate City Group and EME.
EiE Nigeria created the RSVP (Register|Select|Vote|Protect) Campaign to leverage technology, especially social media to mobilize significant participation from citizens in the 18-35 age bloc in the 2011 elections and beyond.
This debate continues EiE’s tradition of hosting youth-focused debates, having co-hosted the first youth-focused presidential debate in the country in 2011 and gubernatorial debates in Cross River, Anambra (in partnership with Channels TV) and Ekiti.
