The Labour Party (LP) has declined the offer for its vice-presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, to debate with Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.
The LP cited cultural and political reasons for rejecting the offer. In a statement released by the party’s campaign council, they expressed bewilderment at Prof Soyinka’s late-hour intervention in the flawed 2023 elections.
They described Prof Soyinka as one of those who should be honoured as the conscience of the nation but is now criminalising dissent and supporting fraud and injustice.
The Labour Party also noted that culturally and politically, it would not be decent for Dr Datti to sit opposite the 88-year-old Nobel Laureate and point out his folly to his face. Although Datti is willing to debate with candidates who resisted debates throughout the campaign, there is no basis for such a challenge as Prof Soyinka is not on any of the opposite ballots.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party criticised those who called for a boycott of the elections, describing it as a luxury of those who have the privilege to do so. They encouraged Nigerians to participate in the electoral process, stating that it is the only way to achieve a better future for the country.