Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Shehu Sani has stated that debates in Nigeria’s elections are mostly for political entertainment purposes.
Speaking on Monday, he revealed that most voters have already made up their mind on who to vote for and so does not need any convincing.
“In our peculiar kind of politics, Debate is good but it’s just political entertainment. Many people have made up their minds who they will vote for and who they will not vote for.”
On Sunday, the by Centre for Democractic Development (CDD) in collaboration with AriseTV organised a town hall meeting on Security and Economy inviting four Presidential candidates in the 2023 general election.
While the candidates of the Labour Party Peter Obi, New Nigeria Peoples Party Rabiu Kwankwaso and People’s Redemption Party, PRP, Kola Abiola, the incumbent All Progressive Congress’s flag bearer Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were absent citing a busy and hectic campaign schedule, the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate Atiku Abubakar was represented by his Vice President Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
During the debate, Peter Obi argued that saving money is necessary for rainy days, he stated that “in a country where those in government are richer than entrepreneurs, they manufacture poverty.
“During my time as a former governor, I served for eight eights. You can go to that state you will find that I never borrowed from any financial institution in Nigeria. I have never been invited or questioned about any missing money anywhere.
“The day I left the office, I wasn’t owing any contractor or supplier that has delivered his project, I was not owing pension, gratuity, salary. I left in three banks; Access, Diamond and Fidelity, over $50 million each for the state.
“I have never borrowed, I served faithfully and I left their money.
“The system can work if we do the right thing.”
Countering his claim, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa revealed that it’s not a wise decision to save when the economy is depreciating but rather the money should be used in building infrastructure and creating jobs.
