As allegations and counter-allegations continue to fly around in the eun-up to next month’s general elections, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger/Delta Affairs, Hon. Kingsley Kuku on Friday said debates should be organised for presidential candidates participating in the election.

Specifically, Kuku who spoke in Akure, Ondo State during a lecture organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, said the two leading contenders, the incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Mohammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC), should face each other in a debate.

In the lecture which touched on the state of the nation and the Niger Delta development, the presidential aide pointed out that Nigerians needed to ask candidates questions about salient issues like corruption, infrastructure and insecurity, among others.

"It is time for Nigerians to ask questions, questions on economy, questions on politics, questions on many issues, they must ask, so there must be a debate, let Nigerians ask questions. The line must be opened to Nigerians to call", he said.

He expressed confidence that his boss would not be scared to appear at the debate because he had done very well for the country, saying he deserved to be elected for the second term.

Kuku said tackling corruption should not be exaggerated in the forthcoming election because of many reasons.

"Some people are saying the President is not tackling corruption, it is because they don't understand the issue. Mr President has not used ICPC or EFCC to witch-hunt anybody, he has even empowered the anti-graft bodies. So they should stop the issue of corruption and say another thing in their campaign.

"The people of this country will not appreciate Mr President now, this is not new, it has happened to other past leaders too, but I believe after Jonathan, the people will appreciate him.

"Whether we like it or not, Jonathan is the best of all the contestants for this presidential election. Jonathan represents original Nigerian, he is a leader that has his children schooling in Nigeria, how many of our leaders are doing this"

On the insurgents attack at the North-eastern part of the country, Kuku charged the stakeholders and leaders in the region to come together and deliberate on ending the insurgency as it was done during the militants’ days in the Niger/Delta.
He said the insurgency would continue in the North East until the leaders in the area moved genuinely to end it.

In welcome remarks, the state Chairman of NUJ, Mr James Sowole admonished journalists in the state to discharge their duties in line with the ethics of the profession, particularly during the forthcoming general election.

He advised journalists to allow politicians to play their politics while they report political activities objectively and fairly.

As allegation and counter allegations continued to trail the next month General Elections, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger/Delta Affairs, Hon Kingsley Kuku yesterday said debates should be organised for presidential candidates participating in the election.

CAPTION: Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the campaign venue In God's own state...
Chairman, Abia State Council of Rulers, Eze Eberechi Dike,  welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan rulers during the PDP Presidential Campaign rally in Abia State on Friday                                                     GODWIN OMOGUI
Jonathan: I’ll Love to See First Nigerian Female President Before I Die
Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Nigeria's President and Peoples Democratic Party presidential flag-bearer, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has pledged to give more attention to empowerment of the women into governance just as he wished to witness the first Nigerian female President.

The President stated this at Abakaliki Township stadium during the PDP Presidential/ Gubernatorial rally in Abia state.
Meanwhile, the event stalled business activities in the state with tricycle and motorcycle riders speeding round Abakaliki city centre with posters of President Jonathan and that of Ebonyi PDP governorship candidate, Dave Umahi.

All roads within the vicinity of the stadium were barricaded by security operatives to ensure hitch-free rally.

Jonathan noted that votes might have been bought and sold in the past, but women empowerment would be his attention as already exemplified in the 35 per cent affirmative action.

He also assured that he would concentrate on youths development as that would have a multiplier effect in the areas of security and protection of the future of the country.

The President who addressed the mammoth crowd promised to improve the standard of education, healthcare facilities and agriculture by improving the quality and quantity of rice production which the state was known for.

"In the past, votes might have been sold and bought, but that is not our interest, women will be my next attention as already exemplified in the 35 per cent affirmative action. I would have loved to see the first Nigeria's first female President before I die".

"My attention will be very high on youth’s development because it will have multiplier effect in the areas of security and protection of the future of the country. We will work with you to improve agriculture, education, health sectors in Ebonyi State", the President assured.

He noted that his administration had completed about five road projects, federal university and upgrading and taking over of the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital.

The President commended the PDP faithful in the state for their steadfast support for the party and urged them to continue to support the PDP governorship flag bearer in the state, Umahi as they supported Governor Martin Elechi.

Speakers at the event, including the National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu'Azu; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius; National Coordinator of PDP National Campaign Council; former Governor of Ebonyi state, Sam Egwu urged the people to vote for Jonathan and all PDP candidates in the elections.

They maintained that the population at the venue was a clear indication that the people really wanted to return the President.