According to reports, the PDP presidential candidate was at the event venue but refused to come up stage because Buhari was absent.
Nigerians on Twitter are expressing their opinion on Twitter following the boycott of the presidential debate by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and President Muhammadu Buhari respectively.
According to reports, the PDP presidential candidate was at the event venue but refused to come up stage because Buhari was absent.
In a statement issued on Twitter, Atiku 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.”
Here are some reactions from Nigerians on Twitter below:
So we have just been informed that Atiku was at the venue of the debate and at the last minute, he decided he wouldn’t participate and left.
How do we deserve to be disrespected this way? And some of you will come on twitter and clamour for support for him? Issokay!#2019Debate
So what changed Atiku’s mind? All the Airplane study wasn’t enough? #2019Debate
@OgbeniDipoEzekwesili – present
Durotoye – present
Atiku – absent
Buhari – absent
Mogalu – present
Disgraceful and disrespectful for Buhari and Atiku to have ignored this debate. #2019Debate
No Buhari, no Atiku at nationally televised presidential debate! And we call ourselves serious?! #2019Debate
