The Senate has passed for second reading the Nigerian Political Debate Commission (Est. etc) Bill 2016. The Bill provides for the organisation and conduct of debates for all nominated political party candidates who aspire to run for the offices of President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor of a State. In addition to the proviso that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must have cleared the candidates prior to the debate, the Bill also makes it mandatory for all nominated candidates to participate at the debate.

Speaking in support of the Bill, Sen. Abdulfatatai Buhari (APC: Oyo) stated that the Bill would enable citizens assess the best nominees for an office by providing the platform for candidates to speak on a wide range of issues such as the economy, health, education and foreign matters among others. According to Sen. Abdulfatai, the concept of political debates is already mandatory in some other African countries like Kenya, Ghana and Sierra-Leone. However, he noted that the practice was slightly different in the United States, which restricted such debates to its two major political parties.

In addition, he stated its eventual passage would ensure that aspirants to the aforementioned offices would enable Nigerian citizens vote along policy or ideological lines rather than ethnic or religious sentiments. He also reasoned that the bill would strengthen democracy and bring Nigeria in conformity with other renowned democracies of the World.

Commenting on the Bill, Sen. Ben Bruce (PDP: Bayelsa) expressed his support for the bill but suggested that its funding and organisation come from the private sector to enhance its credibility and avoid all forms of partisanship or rigging in favour of a candidate.

The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Establishment and Public Service and INEC to make their findings.