The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has explained his reasons for shunning the presidential debate organised by the Nigerian Election Debate Group in conjunction with the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON).
Atiku, who arrived Nigeria from the United States earlier on Saturday was at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja venue of the debate but left before the commencement of the programme.
The former Vice President attributed his decision not to take part in the debate to the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“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. Afterall, 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,” Atiku said.
He went on to apologize, as he stated that “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 APC Presidential Candidate’s absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.
” With respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu & to moderator Mark Sugar & with apologies to Nigerians here & at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari’s absence.
I however challenge 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”.
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