Elections Debate Group is APC agenda, Olawepo-Hashim insists

By excluding the presidential candidate of Peoples Trust (PT), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, from the Presidential Debate by the National Elections Debate Group and Broadcasting Organisatio of Nigeria (BON), the organisers have shown the project as part of the agenda of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to interfere with the 2019 election.

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Campaign Organisation (GOHCO), which condemned the exclusion of their principal from the scheduled Presidential Debate, alleged that the method adopted in selecting candidates not only lacked objectivity, but also showed bias and underlined the anti-democratic agenda of APC.

In a statement by Mr. Hassan Ibrahim, spokesperson of the candidate, GOHCO disclosed that PT had long indicated interest to participate in the debate, but regretted the exclusion of its candidate despite the fact that he remains among the top three candidates from all surveys.

GOHCO contended that it is its hope that the debating group is not working in cahoots with the ruling APC to downplay the party’s strides with its spread across the country. It noted that PT and its presidential candidate, Mr. Olawepo-Hashim, recently emerged top among the nearly 28 newly registered political parties fielding candidates for political positions for next year’s presidential elections, with 194 persons running on its platform.

“The PT, which is in alliance with other parties, is promoting the presidential candidacy of Mr. Olawepo-Hashim, has a total of 194 contestants on its platform, including 140 for the House of Representatives, 52 for the Senate and one each for president and vice-president. Following PT closely are the JMPP (182); MPN (176); the ADP (136); ZLP (115) and the ACD with 106,” the statement added.

While recalling how Mr. Olawepo-Hashim made a head start over others in the weekly Facebook rating of presidential candidates in Nigeria on Monday, December 10, 2018 with 28, 000 Facebook engagements, GOHCO declared: “Regrettably, the candidates included in the debate apart from Alhaji Atiku, performed woefully in terms of spread, in comparative terms, in the just concluded nomination exercise.

“While Kingsley Moghalu had 70 nominations, Fela Durotoye had 21, and Oby Ezekwesili had 50. The PT nomination was 194 signifying national spread, acceptability and effectiveness of political structure.

“President Muhammadu Buhari of APC recorded 16,000+ engagements, while Kingsley Moghalu, Fela Durotoye and the other presidential candidates were trailing far behind with single digit ratings. These are incontrovertible data, not the sentiments or wishful thoughts of individuals. They are empirical evidence that can be easily verified.”

The campaign organisation regretted that it is “surprising that despite these records, the party is being excluded from the debate in what looks like a stage-managed process. We urge Nigerians not to be disturbed by this. The PT is working with other political candidates who are interested in having their voice heard towards the 2019 presidential election, and we shall surely triumph in stopping this subterfuge.”

Further, GOHCO stated that the debate organisers short-listed PDP for purpose of legitimacy for the debate, adding that “the inclusion of the weakest candidates on the platform, or the newest parties, exposes their devious intentions.”

PT lamented that Nigeria is internally bleeding because of the ineptitude of APC, saying, “What the country is looking forward to is an honest platform of debate to halt the hemorrhaging, not a forum to whitewash the problem by mostly a collection of pretenders to the presidential contest.”

The party therefore urged its supporters, concerned Nigerians and indeed the electorate to take note of APC’s shenanigan and tits selected allies that they have been encouraging in the polity to suck off votes that otherwise will not come to them.

The statement concluded, “We urge Nigerians not to be disturbed by this development as genuine people’s debate is in the works, where concrete solutions to many problems bedeviling Nigeria would be proffered. Our campaign will be part of this new debate with many patriotic candidates, who truly want to see a better Nigeria in 2019.”

https://guardian.ng/politics/elections-debate-group-is-apc-agenda-olawepo-hashim-insists/

Lol

Yes, it's APC agenda

Imagine Buhari squaring up against Sowore or Hashim

Can he?

Just de pity for buhari

Nonsense!

The winner of the debate can still be a flop!

And the loser of the debate can still perform better.

The jubrin I know won't try attend any debate ... you can even check the odd of Buhari not attending on naijabet

Gohashim2019

Leave apc alone!

Omeokachie:
Imagine Buhari squaring up against Sowore or Hashim

Disaster

Omeokachie:
Imagine Buhari squaring up against Sowore or Hashim

Imagine Atiku squaring up against Ezekwesili.

For me anybody can win, idgaf all I want is that the dollar rate should be the same.

seunmsg:


Imagine Atiku squaring up against Ezekwesili.

Atiku will hold his own, even though not being an economist.
Can the same be said of your Buhari who needs a written note before he can make a statement in public?

Unfortunately you cannot debate with a written speech, reason why he will disappear again this year from the event.

seunmsg:


Imagine Atiku squaring up against Ezekwesili.

For ur mind you would support Buhari whether he is working or not so that tinubu would. become president in 2023? With just Sw votes? Lol

This debate sef!

Its debatable, since the chariman of channels TV who is also BON DG is part of the organizers.

Before now, it was PNB won't agree to debate. Now the day of reckoning is around the corner, APC is planning to rig the debate.

Omeokachie:



Atiku will hold his own, even though not being an economist.
Can the same be said of your Buhari who needs a written note before he can make a statement in public?

Unfortunately you cannot debate with a written speech, reason why he will disappear again this year from the event.

Buhari debated Nuhu Ribadu and Shekarau in 2011 and performed very well. The same debate was dodge by Jonathan. He also participated in the 2003 and 2007 debate. So, bring on the 2018 debate; Baba is ready for anybody.

Atiku on the other hand has never debated anybody in his life despite contesting for the presidency since 1992. He will be murdered by an Ezekwesili that happens to know a lot about his corrupt history. Can't wait for the debate to start.

seunmsg:


Buhari debated Nuhu Ribadu and Shekarau in 2011 and performed very well. The same debate was dodge by Jonathan. So, bring on the 2018 debate; Baba is ready for anybody.

Ribadu? does he sound like someone that knows what he is talking about? Anyway, Buhari has got his limits and class

Can't wait to see your "baba" disgraced by Oby and Sowore

Moghalu will so deal with Atiku and bullhari

buhari in a debate
abeg dat guy shouldn't disgrace himself


but come to think of it
Buhari supporters wat do you think the lifeless one is going to say becos that guy lacks wisdom to say anything



Atiku will even give better points than Buhari
they should just square Buhari and sowore against each other lemme laugh

hum

mrrights:
Gohashim2019

He's not going anywhere. I rather vote a northerner than Yoruba...they are a very wicked tribe. They attack another tribe for trying to determine itself, then turn round to promote their own...If pour sand for another man garri no 4get say u self go still soak ur own garri. I am not IBO.
I will vote for Atiku

I understand the exclusion of Sowore cos the dude can be so uncut. Someone that could go to the palace of Oni of Ife to disrespect him(saying he can’t prostrate). The organizers won’t want some weed smoker that can potentially damage the image of their program.

For Hashim to link APC to the exclusion shows he’s also of the same mind set with Sowore. They still believe activism and student unionism is the way to Aso Rock.

Foodforthought:

He's not going anywhere. I rather vote a northerner than Yoruba...they are a very wicked tribe. They attack another tribe for trying to determine itself, then turn round to promote their own...If pour sand for another man garri no 4get say u self go still soak ur own garri. I am not IBO.
I will vote for Atiku

He his from Kebbi. North