Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince D?tun Oyelade, has urged the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, to blacklist political candidates who refuse to participate in its proposed public debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oyelade, who commended the council for constituting a committee to organise the debate, said the initiative would provide an opportunity for candidates to explain their intentions, defend their campaign promises and answer questions from the electorate.
In a statement issued from his office on Wednesday, the commissioner said the initiative would strengthen democratic participation and promote good governance by enabling voters to make informed choices about candidates seeking public office.
He described the debate as an important responsibility of the media in promoting public interest and holding political office seekers accountable.
‘What the NUJ has done is to activate one of its principal mandates as the fourth estate of the realm to excite public interest in democratic exercise,’ he said.
Oyelade said political candidates should not expect to secure electoral victory by appealing to the emotions of the electorate while avoiding opportunities to explain their policies and defend their promises.
He described the avoidance of public debate by candidates as a circumvention of democratic principles, stressing that the electorate deserved to know the positions of those seeking their votes.
According to him, a public debate provides an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the challenges facing the people and explain how they intend to address them if elected.
The commissioner therefore urged the NUJ Oyo State Council to make participation in the proposed debate mandatory for all political candidates, particularly those contesting the governorship election.
He said the debate should provide a platform for candidates to submit themselves to public scrutiny and allow the electorate to assess their promises before making electoral decisions.
Oyelade further suggested that any governorship candidate who fails to attend the debate should be reported to the court of public opinion and identified as an obstacle to democratic development.
He maintained that candidates seeking public office should be prepared to engage the electorate, respond to questions and demonstrate accountability rather than avoid public scrutiny.
The commissioner’s call comes as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the proposed NUJ debate expected to provide a platform for public engagement with candidates in Oyo.