DEBATES deepen democracy. The latest one between Donald Trump of the Republican social gathering and Vice-President Kamala Harris of the Democratic social gathering in the USA gave the voters a ring-side view of contestants and a greater likelihood to decide on.
Trump is a veteran of presidential debates. Within the final two election cycles, he confronted off towards Hilary Clinton thrice in 2016, and thrice towards President Joe Biden, twice in 2020 and as soon as in June earlier than Biden dropped out of the race.
On this context, Harris is a neophyte on the presidential stage. However throughout the debate on September 10 in Philadelphia, the bombastic veteran was pegged again.
Alternatively, Harris was the image of cool confidence, like one who got here ready. She appeared her rival within the eye and gave him a dose of Trump’s drugs.
Reality-checkers stated Trump made 33 false claims as towards one by Harris. Based on a ballot, most Individuals gave the controversy to Harris. Characteristically, the previous US president has been fuming and dominated out a second debate with Harris. However it’s nonetheless a good race, election watchers say.
Instructively, the controversy is a scathing rebuke of Nigeria’s presidential contests. After copying its presidential democracy from America, full with a two-term tenure of 4 years every for the president, plus a bicameral legislature as well, Nigeria borrowed nothing extra from America.
The talk is a working example. In America, it is a chance to listen to the candidates, considered one of whom will lead them for the subsequent 4 years and typically eight. It’s a likelihood to know the place they stand on points Individuals care about, from the financial system to immigration, and from abortion to international coverage.
In contrast, Nigerian politicians view debates with disdain, the identical means they view the individuals they lead. Sadly, the no-show candidates win!
In 2015 and 2019, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari shunned the debates, denying Nigerians a chance to evaluate his suitability or in any other case for the very best workplace within the nation. This makes it tough for the voters to gauge their leaders’ sagacity. After eight disastrous years in workplace, Buhari retired to his hometown of Daura unsung.
President Bola Tinubu additionally refused to current himself for debate. Like Buhari, he took too lengthy to type his cupboard. Neither man provided any apology as a result of they felt they did no improper or that the individuals may do nothing about it. That is impunity.
Amid the anguish unleashed on the individuals by his insurance policies, it has been argued that Tinubu owes the individuals nothing as a result of he promised them nothing, and it was merely his flip (Emi L’okan) to be president. The individuals can not maintain him to any ideology or philosophy. It is a mockery of democracy.
It’s argued that Nigerian politicians flee from debates as a result of they’re empty and solely centered on successful elections, not good governance.
In distinction, the televised debate between MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Occasion and Bashir Tofa of the Nationwide Republican Conference added pizzazz to the 1993 presidential election.
This creates different worries. It’s changing into clearer that Nigerians are dropping curiosity in democracy. That is seen in voter apathy. Nigeria has a dangerously low voting ratio. From 34.75 per cent prove within the 2019 presidential polls, the 2023 model recorded a woeful 27 per cent. That is unlucky and performs into the palms of bent politicians.
What could be executed?
First, politicians ought to mend their crooked methods. Civil society organisations ought to spare no effort in educating and sensitising the individuals on the necessity for debates.
The voters may change the sport by voting rightly after assessing candidates primarily based on debate outcomes.
