By John Mayaki

Journalists and media stations in Edo state and across Nigeria have resorted to publicly declaring Senator Monday Okpebholo as a ‘wanted’ candidate. The APC governorship flag-bearer, who cannot speak to his manifesto without whisperers, has left them with no other choice.

He refuses to honor interview invitations, has barred the press from filming him, and appears determined to skip debate events organized by the media and civil society groups.

Last week, insider reports indicate that he pressured ITV, a local television station in Edo, to favor a debate between surrogates of the candidates rather than the candidates themselves. Simply put, Okpebholo wants someone else on his team, perhaps another elder spokesman, to debate on his behalf. He is unwilling to present himself and his ideas, if any, to the people of Edo in a direct, unmediated manner.

The question is, why? Candidates are free to debate in the language of their choice, if the concern is his toxic relationship with the English language. Since he boasts of speaking Esan local dialect fluently, he should be allowed to debate with other candidates with it.

Besides, debates test more than one’s grasp of the language of choice. They offer a glimpse into the mind, revealing depth, worldview, and the ability to think on one’s feet. Information is processed on the spot, and answers are provided. No elder or pastor would be waiting in the wings to intervene or correct. It is just the candidates, the mics, and the audience in the studio and at home.

This makes it the most effective way to separate the wheat from the chaff. In the end, voters will have seen enough to distinguish candidates with substance and a plan to better their lives from those who are mere creations of propaganda and political conspiracy.

I have previously argued that Okpebholo suffers from a narrow, withered mind—similar to barren land that is unweeded, undeveloped, and housing no assets. The APC disputed this and claimed instead that Okpebholo’s erudition surpasses Plato’s. So, why will they not substantiate this claim by simply placing Okpebholo behind a lectern to show the world that his mind is not, indeed, vacuous?

Why is Okpebholo desperately exploiting his friendship with Omosede Igbinedion, whose father owns ITV, to escape debating and replace himself at the event with a surrogate? Does this suggest people will run the office of the governor on his behalf?

He has nothing to fear regarding the objective conduct of debates. All participants would be subjected to the same rules; they are given the same speech time, similar questions, and opportunities to counter-punch and critique each other’s stance.

Why is Okpebholo running helter-skelter, his tail between his legs, when he could take the opportunity to share his previously declared plan to ‘panel beat’ the state? The answer is obvious to the discerning.