The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN, Inc.), in collaboration with 15 other Nigerian organisations in the U.S., has expressed readiness to hold a debate for presidential candidates before February 25 poll.

The ‘Diaspora Listens’ presidential debate, earlier scheduled for November 22, 2022, was postponed due to the failure of getting written commitment from the major presential candidates, including Bola Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), Kola Abiola (PRP), and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (NNPP).

OAN board chair Olayinka DanSalami, in a statement signed on behalf of the organisations, stated that Nigerians in the diaspora demand the candidates unveil their policy thrusts to the citizens.

“OAN and other leaders of the various Nigerian organisations in the U.S. held a meeting on January 14, 2023, and it was decided that Nigerians in the diaspora should continue their demand to hold a presidential debate,” said Mr DanSalami. “They should demand to hold a presidential debate for candidates who are contesting in the February 25 Nigerian presidential election because of the high importance of the election.”

He added, “The new date for the virtual debate is Saturday, February 11, at 8:00 p.m. One of the main reasons why we are still willing to hold this debate is because the 2023 presidential election is a consequential election that would determine the fate of over 200 million people and impact the African continent and the Black race.”

(NAN)