2023 Polls: Atiku, Tinubu, Obi Presidential Debate Cancelled, Organisers Give Reasons

• The much anticipated presidential debate organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has been cancelled
• The announcement was made five days before the main event at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja
• However, the NESG says it will deploy a new means of interacting with candidates individually to know their economic plans and strategy for Nigeria

FCT, Abuja - The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG) say the presidential debate slated for Tuesday, November 15, will no longer hold.

Laoye Jaiyeola, the NESG chief executive officer, announced this development via a statement made available to Legit.ng on Thursday, October 11.

According to Jaiyeola, the decision to cancel the debate was concerning the recent happenings that transpired at engagements between presidential candidates.

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He said:

"A critical assessment of events surrounding recent engagements with the presidential candidates, as well as subsequent statements from political parties, necessitates a review of our plans.

"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."

NESG seeks independent interface with candidates on economic policies and reforms

As contained in the statement, Jaiyeola disclosed that the NESG would seek an individual interface with the presidential candidates.

Jaiyeola says this interface with individual candidates will seek to know their economic plans and reforms for the country.

He, however, stated that the NESG and other relevant stakeholders would remain committed to critical engagement of national interest.

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NESG, NEDG to stage debate for Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, others on economic policy

Recall that Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Nigerian Elections Debates Group (NEDG) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) announced that they would organise a presidential debate for candidates.

All the major contenders seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari were slated to converge on Tuesday, November 15, for a debate on economic policy.

The much-anticipated debate was hoping to have the attendance of the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has missed out on two major debates.

Source: Legit.ng