Abuja – INEC Chairman  Atahiru Jega has endorsed the activities of the Nigerian Elections Debate Group (NEDG)  toward organising Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates for the polls later in the month.

Jega’s views are contained in a statement, jointly issued by NEDG Chairman,  Mr Taiwo Alimi, and NEDG Administrative Secretary, Osita Nweke, in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement quoted the INEC chairman as saying that  “ NEDG is doing an excellent work in trying to introduce the culture of debates in  Nigeria’s electoral process.’’

Jega commended the composition of NEDG members, which includes the broadcast and print media, professional groups, civil society organisations as well as youth and women organisations.

Jega said that the composition was an indication of its acceptability and promised that INEC would study the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) presented by NEDG and  fasttrack its endorsement.

The statement also quoted Alimi as saying that  “NEDG is poised to ensure that debate is integrated into the political culture of the country.’’

He said that NEDG would ensure that debates were institutionalised when the next National Assembly was inaugurated.

Alimi said that the Presidential and Vice- Presidential debates would be issue-based and issue-driven.

He solicited the cooperation of the INEC chairman in the areas of the number of governorship and senatorial candidates fielded by the political parties.

He also called on INEC to send observers to the debates scheduled to hold on March 28, March 29 and March 30 at ECOWAS Commission Auditorium in Abuja. (NAN)