The Ondo State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has criticized the exclusion of its candidate, Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, from the upcoming Channels Television political debate scheduled for Sunday, November 3. The debate is set to feature the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Mr. Agboola Ajayi, respectively.
The Labour Party Campaign Organisation, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Johnson Egbodofo, condemned the portrayal of the APC and PDP candidates as the only “leading candidates” in the November 16 governorship election. The party described the omission of its candidate as misleading and an attempt to undermine the LP’s significant political influence in Ondo State.
The statement noted, “The Labour Party and its candidates have observed with disappointment the decision by Channels TV to exclude our gubernatorial candidate, Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, from the scheduled debate while erroneously labeling the APC and PDP candidates as the leading contenders. This exclusion not only misrepresents the political landscape in Ondo State but also denies the electorate a fair chance to assess all major candidates.”
The LP highlighted its historical influence in Ondo State, being the only party since 1999 to have governed the state for two consecutive terms, from 2009 to 2017. The statement emphasized that both Chief Ebiseni and his running mate, Adedayo Awude, played pivotal roles during the Labour Party’s administration as commissioners, further reinforcing the party’s strong footing in the state.
The party revealed that it had made efforts to address the issue with Channels Television. According to the statement, Chief Ebiseni personally contacted several officials at the station, who acknowledged the exclusion and promised corrective measures. Despite these assurances, the LP remains excluded from the debate, prompting the party to consider legal and public actions.
“The Labour Party is not just a footnote in Ondo politics; it is the immediate predecessor of the APC administration in the state. Our candidate, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, has demonstrated intellectual pedigree and governance capacity, qualities that have historically shaped the choice of governors in Ondo State. The exclusion of our candidate is a politically injurious act that undermines the credibility of the debate,” the statement added.
The Labour Party declared its readiness to participate in the debate, even at the eleventh hour, reaffirming its commitment to a transparent electoral process and the democratic right of the electorate to hear from all major contenders.
“We wish to inform the world that our party and candidate remain ready and willing to participate in the debate. Excluding us from such a critical platform is a disservice to the people of Ondo State and an affront to fair democratic practices,” the statement concluded.
