Buhari and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar did
The campaign team of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari has issued a statement explaining why he did not attend the presidential debate.
Buhari and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar did not participate in the debate.
Atiku’s explanation
The PDP flag-bearer, in a statement explaining why he boycotted the debate, said “We came here for a Presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar cannot challenge or question an administration where the man at the helm of the affairs of the nation is not present to defend himself or his policies.
“After all you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. I do not believe in attacking a man who is NOT here to defend himself. As a leader and former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let me first apologise to all Nigerians, my fellow candidates and the moderator for the the APC Presidential Candidates absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.
“Secondly, with all due respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and to the moderator and with all apologies to my Fellow Nigerians here and at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret that I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari’s absence.
“I however challenge the President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Buhari’s busy schedule
Buhari’s campaign team, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Festus Keyamo, said the president could not make it to the debate because of his busy official and campaign schedule.
The statement also said that the President had in another forum (Town-hall meeting), spoken on the achievement and plans of his government.
Read the complete statement below:
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is also the APC Presidential Candidate in the forthcoming Presidential Election, President Muhammadu Buhari, could not attend the Presidential Debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria which held today, Saturday, January 19, 2019 for the following reasons:
Firstly, out of several opportunities afforded our candidate to interact with the Nigerian people directly by different organisations, our presidential candidate has taken full advantage of another town-hall meeting organized by another group which held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. He was also joined at that town-hall meeting by our Vice-Presidential candidate who is also the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Nigerians from all walks of life who were physically present and through on-line platforms asked uncensored questions which were adequately answered. It was also transmitted live by various broadcast networks in Nigeria.
