From allAfrica.com
Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has concluded plans to bring together all gubernatorial candidates in Lagos State for a debate.
The programme which is being put together by the 2011 Election Sensitization, Mobilization and Observation Committee of the Diocese in conjunction with the Dioceses of Badagry and Lagos Mainland, is expected to give an insight into the various programmes of each gubernatorial candidates for the progress and development of Lagos State.
A statement signed by Diocesan Communicator, Tunji Oguntuase said the debate comes up on March 12, at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja-Lagos, at 11.00a.m.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Canon Gbenga Oniye, "the programme will be an improvement on what the Diocese did in 2007 in the areas of sensitization, mobilization and observation."
"Our sensitization efforts towards the 2011 elections started with the mobilization of our members during the voter's registration exercise and this will be a continuous exercise. Our members are being encouraged to go out and vote massively for God-fearing political leaders that will better the lives of the common people on the street."
Lagos State, he added "is strategic to the economic survival of the nation because of its cosmopolitan nature and therefore, the church cannot sit on the fence and watch incompetent and non-God fearing politicians to take over the mantle of leadership in the state."
Canon Oniye said the church "as a stakeholder in Lagos State, is determined to ensure that through the debate, the competence or otherwise of these candidates is exposed during the debate so that the electorate will know who to vote for, come April 2011 gubernatorial elections in the state.