The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) yesterday called on Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to stop Channels Television from holding its planned Anambra governorship debate in Awka.

IPAC is made up of 37 registered political parties, including the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the federal-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Addressing journalists in Awka, the state Chairman of IPAC, Chief Bartho Igwedibia, said that the call was sequel to selective invitations Channels TV issued to only four out of 37 some governorship candidates billed for the November poll.

He expressed worry on what he called “obvious negative impact” the development would have on the forthcoming election in the state.

Igwedibia said: “The stoppage of the debate by Channels TV is because the programme is meant to give undue advantage to the four candidates against the other 33 governorship candidates who were equally certified for the election by INEC.

“We have seen a public announcement going on in Channels Television about Anambra state governorship debate and the calls other parties are getting from within and outside the country is very worrisome.

“Anambra IPAC seriously thinks that such a thing is not supposed to happen because it is an unfair political treatment to other parties.

“Why should Channels TV foreclose the outcome of yet to be conducted governorship election by INEC, yet the media like INEC claims they are watch dog of the society and voice of the voiceless.”

According to IPAC chairman, the 33 other candidates have fully participated in the process, and were duly nominated through legitimate primaries supervised by INEC.

He described the action by Channels TV as a total breach of the electoral law and urged NBC to immediately wade in and stop Channels from going ahead with the debate as well as withdrawal of the company’s operating license.

Igwedibia further described as faulty the idea that only PDP, UPP, APC and APGA are the political parties fielding governorship candidates in the Nov. 18 governorship election in the state.

He added: “We see this debate as a sign of rigging; if it has good intention, why must it be these four candidates?

“They are simply trying to bring anarchy to Anambra and an attempt to truncate the entire exercise.

“IPAC and all the political parties are equal before the law and must be given equal opportunity because all parties have the capacity to produce 4,608 party agents for this election.”

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