By Mustapha Salisu
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, has announced the suspension of its planned debates for the Deputy Governorship and Governorship candidates earlier scheduled for October 8 and 15, 2025, respectively, ahead of the November 8 gubernatorial election in the state.
According to a statement signed by the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu, PhD, the decision to postpone the event was necessitated by “complicated unforeseen circumstances.”
The NUJ expressed regret over the development, describing it as an uneasy but necessary decision.
The Council, however, dismissed claims by some candidates that they were not given adequate notice for the debate, clarifying that invitation letters were hand-delivered simultaneously to all candidates’ campaign offices on September 16, 2025.
The Union urged candidates who raised concerns over delayed communication to assess the responsiveness of their aides, stressing that it was unfair to allege bias against the NUJ.
“The same official aides who failed in their duties now have the effrontery to suspect a plot to shortchange their political party’s candidates,” the statement read in part.
Reaffirming its commitment to fairness and equity, the NUJ assured that all political parties and their candidates would continue to enjoy a level playing field in the electoral process.
It also called on politicians and their supporters to avoid divisive tendencies capable of undermining the spirit of sportsmanship before, during, and after the election.
The Union further expressed deep regret over any disappointment or inconvenience caused by the suspension, promising to announce new dates and venue for the debate in due course.
“We thank the candidates and the general public for their understanding,” the statement concluded.