OSOGBO, Nigeria — A coalition of radio stations has cancelled the planned Osun State governorship debate following security concerns and the reluctance of some leading candidates to participate in the programme.
The organisers announced the cancellation after reviewing security reports and consulting relevant stakeholders, saying the decision was taken in the interest of public safety. They explained that while the debate was designed to provide voters with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates ahead of the governorship election, prevailing circumstances made it difficult to proceed as planned.
According to the organisers, intelligence and security assessments raised concerns about the safety of participants, guests, media personnel and members of the public who would have attended the event. They said the reports suggested that holding the debate under the current conditions could pose unnecessary security risks.
The coalition also disclosed that some of the leading governorship candidates either declined invitations to participate or failed to confirm their attendance, making it difficult to organise a balanced and meaningful debate. They noted that a debate achieves its objective only when major contenders are available to present their policies, programmes and vision to the electorate.
The organisers expressed disappointment over the development, stating that public debates remain an important aspect of democratic elections because they allow voters to compare candidates’ positions on critical issues such as education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, youth development and economic growth.
They maintained that the cancellation should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to promoting credible elections but rather as a responsible decision based on the prevailing security situation. According to the organisers, the safety of everyone involved remains their highest priority.
The coalition encouraged political parties and candidates to continue engaging with voters through peaceful campaigns and issue-based discussions. It urged contestants to avoid inflammatory statements capable of increasing political tension as the election approaches.
Civil society organisations and election observers have repeatedly described governorship debates as valuable platforms that promote transparency and accountability by giving candidates the opportunity to explain their manifestos and respond to questions on matters affecting citizens.
The organisers also appealed to political supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period and to respect the rights of other parties to campaign freely. They stressed that violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic process.
They further called on security agencies to continue working closely with electoral authorities and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful environment before, during and after the governorship election. According to them, adequate security is essential for credible campaigns, voter participation and the successful conduct of the polls.
Despite the cancellation of the debate, the organisers expressed optimism that voters would continue to evaluate the candidates based on their policies, public records and campaign promises. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting civic education and voter awareness initiatives aimed at encouraging informed participation in the electoral process.
The coalition concluded by expressing hope that future political engagements, including debates and public forums, would be conducted under more favourable security conditions, allowing candidates to interact directly with the electorate while strengthening democratic governance in Osun State.
