A bill making debates compulsory for candidates contesting presidential and governorship elections scaled second reading at the Senate, yesterday.
If the bill is passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, presidential and governorship candidates and running mates will take part in debates.
The bill, entitled: Nigerian Political Debates Commission Bill, 2015, was sponsored by Abdulfatai Buhari, (Oyo North).
Senator Buhari noted that the bill will give legislative backing for establishment of a commission to organise and conduct debates for candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said: “The bill will strengthen our democracy and bring it in conformity with others in the world.”
The senator, who cited the United States of America, said debates for candidates of major parties had become customary following their debut in 1960 between then Democratic nominee John Kennedy and Republican rival Richard Nixon.
“The debate is the de facto election process in the United States, as results of elections are predicated on the candidates’ performance at debates.
“An analogous experience of this crucial indispensability of electoral debate is the presidential debate between Hilary Clinton of the Democratic Party and Donald Trump of the Republican party.
“The regular debate has enabled the electorate not only to know about the personalities of the candidates but also about their lifestyles, beliefs, reactions to national issues and foreign policy. This information has informed the electorate on the position to take during election.