Finally, Jonathan Agrees To A Television Debate

Jonathan campaigning in Akwa Ibom state

Jonathan, Godswill Akpabio at the statdium

cross section of PDP supporters in Akwa Ibom

Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, has finally agreed to participate in a televised presidential debate to be hosted by Lagos -based NN24 cable station.

Jonathan had initially refused to participate after the station turned down his request to have the debate questions sent to him in advance.

The station had no option but to suspend the debate until today. A source at NN24 told Naija News Desk today that Mr. Jonathan has agreed to participate in the debate "unconditionally".

 The debate is now scheduled to take place on March 18, 2011. All the major presidential candidates had earlier agreed to participate without imposing conditions.

The debate between the vice presidential candidates will take place on March 11, 2011.

In the 1999 election between then Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae, Mr. Obasanjo refused to debate Olu Falae, the opposition candidate, because he was viewed to be ahead in the polls. In 2003, the planned debate with Gen. Buhari did not take place due to poor planning.

Last month, the sitting governor in Abia State, Gov. Chief Theodore Orji, stormed out of a planned debate with his opponents. His reason was that the debate organized by the Catholic Church had a hostile environment.

Despite twelve straight years of democracy, Nigerian politicians have continued to show disdain for its basic tenets.

Campaigns are devoid of issues and candidates show little interest in agenda-based campaign aimed at solving the numerous problems confronting Nigeria.