The Ondo State Labour Party (LP) has voiced strong disapproval over Channels Television’s decision to limit its upcoming governorship debate to candidates from just two political parties.
The LP claims this restriction disregards the political diversity of Ondo State and denies voters the right to hear from all candidates.
In a statement, the LP’s Director of Publicity for the Labour Party Campaign Organisation, Prince Olu Johnson Egbodofo, criticized Channels TV for only inviting candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the November 3rd debate. He called the move an “orchestrated perversion of the will of the people” ahead of the November 16th governorship election.
“Our gubernatorial candidate, Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, made multiple efforts to reach Channels Television to address this unfair exclusion,” Egbodofo stated. He also mentioned that Seun Okinbaloye, the anchor of the debate, had initially expressed regret over the oversight but no corrective action was taken.
The LP emphasized that it has historically been a significant political force in Ondo State, governing from 2009 to 2017 and serving as the immediate predecessor to the current APC administration. Egbodofo added that the LP has a longstanding legacy in the state’s governance, alongside leaders like Adekunle Ajasin and Olusegun Mimiko.
“We urge Channels to halt this selective debate or include all parties,” Egbodofo urged, emphasizing that their candidate is ready to participate. He warned that the LP would take legal and public measures if the debate continued under the current terms.
The Labour Party called on Channels TV to prioritize fairness, warning that proceeding with a restricted debate would undermine the station’s credibility and deprive Ondo voters of a balanced assessment of all candidates.
