A civil society organisation (CSO), the Edo Salvation Group (ESG), has called on political party candidates for the Sept. 21 governorship election in Edo to appear for election debate.

The national coordinator of ESG, Imman Ekpe, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Ekpe called on candidates of the major political parties and the voters in the state to give the debate the attention it deserved.

According to him, the commonwealth of the state is an issue we expect all candidates and voters to bring to the fore in the debate.

He said the debate was a major test that would show the capabilities of the candidates.

The ESG boss said the debate would prepare the voters on who to elect to drive the engine of the state for the next four years.

“We as a group commend the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Edo Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists for partnering to bring this debate ahead of the election.

“We believe that this debate in whatever way it is presented, offers a platform for the respective candidates to present the vision they have for the state.

“That is why we are enjoining the candidates and the voters to take the debate with all seriousness,” he said.

Mr Ekpe urged the three major candidates, Sen. Monday Okpebhello, APC, Asue Ighodalo, PDP and Olumide Akpata, Labour Party to be serious with the debate.

He urged the candidates to take advantage of the debate to convince the voters on their agenda.

The national coordinator of the group also enjoined the voters to use the opportunity to scrutinise the candidates in terms of oratory and the contents of their ideas.

“Any candidate who boycotts this debate should be boycotted by voters,” he said.

(NAN)