The Ondo State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has expressed strong opposition to Channels Television’s decision to restrict the upcoming governorship election debate to only two political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Labour Party contends that this move is not only unfair but also fails to accurately represent the political landscape in Ondo State, where multiple parties are contesting the governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024.
In a recent statement, Johnson Egbodofo, Director of Publicity for the Labour Party Campaign Organisation, criticized Channels Television for the decision to exclude other parties, particularly the Labour Party, from participating in the live debate set to air on Sunday, November 3.
According to Egbodofo, this exclusion marginalizes the voices of other viable candidates and undermines the principle of democratic representation.
He further claimed that limiting the debate to APC and PDP candidates suggests an attempt to manipulate the public’s perception, portraying these two as the only “leading candidates” in the election.
This portrayal, he argued, could unduly influence voters by creating a narrative that these two parties are the only viable choices, thus distorting the reality of the political competition in the state.
Egbodofo explained that the Labour Party had promptly reached out to Channels Television, highlighting the need for fair representation in the debate.
The party specifically contacted Seun Okinbaloye, the debate’s anchor, urging the network to reconsider its approach and to allow candidates from all parties to participate.
The Labour Party emphasized that, as a media-friendly organization that values transparency, it expected Channels Television to provide the people of Ondo State and its national and global viewers with an opportunity to hear from all candidates, thus allowing for a fair and comprehensive assessment of each candidate’s platform and vision.
Egbodofo further argued that excluding the Labour Party from the debate is tantamount to a biased presentation that misleads the public about the actual strength and appeal of the various parties and their candidates.
He maintained that the Labour Party is an essential part of the political landscape in Ondo State and that its candidate deserves the same platform to communicate his vision and policies to the electorate.
The party asserts that allowing only the APC and PDP candidates to participate in the debate reinforces a two-party narrative that does not reflect the democratic choice available to the people.
Labour Party supporters and representatives across Ondo State have expressed disappointment with Channels Television’s decision, seeing it as a disregard for equal opportunity in the democratic process.
Egbodofo noted that despite assurances from Channels Television that the issue would be addressed, no corrective action has been taken. He urged the media organization to uphold its role as a neutral platform, dedicated to presenting a balanced perspective rather than favoring specific political entities.
The Labour Party has called on Channels Television to reconsider its decision and open the debate to all parties contesting in the election, including its candidate.
By doing so, the station would ensure an inclusive, democratic dialogue that respects the political diversity of Ondo State.
As the November 16 election approaches, the Labour Party insists that transparency and fairness in media coverage are vital to promoting a truly democratic process that gives every candidate a chance to connect with the electorate.
