some of the candidates stayed away because they did not quite perform well in the NN24 debate moderated by NEXT’s Kadaria Ahmed. According to this rendering, the campaign managers of these candidates would not then rather have them exposed to another public grilling.

Beaf:

[size=14pt]The opposition’s strategic mistake[/size]
By Kayode Ogunbunmi
April 4, 2011 01:06AM

"He cut the image of relaxed assuredness, even cracking jokes with the panellists."  What do you expect from all those panelist? They were only playing out the script the other candidate were accusing him.
 
"It is possible that, as a tactic, staying away probably served its purpose. There are even insinuations that some of the candidates stayed away because they did not quite perform well in the NN24 debate moderated by NEXT’s Kadaria Ahmed. According to this rendering, the campaign managers of these candidates would not then rather have them exposed to another public grilling. This is probably tosh. But then, how do we know, when the candidates did not show up to speak for themselves?[/size]" This is the most stupid assumption I've ever heard from a supposed unbiased columnist"

"I, therefore, think that the boycott is both wrongheaded and a strategic mistake. Even if the candidates were aggrieved, participating in the Wednesday event could only be a gain-gain situation for them. They would have, for one, reached another set of Nigerians whom they couldn’t reach in the first debate. They could have confronted Mr Jonathan on air directly and seek to discomfit him. They would have appeared as statesmen who will not be dissuaded by a little thing as having to debate without one of their opponents."
I also, therefore think you and your columnist are in no little way blinded by your bias for Jonathan. Didn't it occur to you that the President was unusually smooth and relaxed on the one man unopposed charade of a debate than usual- which is very uncharacteristic of GEJ so this can only go a long way to also substantiate the initial claims of him seeing the debate questions.

efisher:

This debate made me rethink my stance on the best candidate for 2011. I was disappointed because I thought the others will display their maturity and score cheap points for it. Instead they went for the Do-Me-I-Do-You approach. I got really pissed off! There is no excuse that can justify their approach because Nigerians should be the most important part of the equation. Besides, they are allowed to say whatever they want. Nobody will muzzle them during the debate so why act childishly? GEJ has displayed his genuine passion and respect for Nigerians and that is the key difference between the old and the new order. Change is here.

jfking2005:

This is bullshit.
All these is no longer necessary.
go and vote and make your vote count.
campaign is over!!

omo9ja1:

I totally disagree with this, I think the three parties are saying something to us, that If we all agree on something we should all stand and say NO

But rather acting like a coward they stood their ground, The President should be ashame of this situation but only few people can read meaning into the action of the debate

Mr president ignore the most wanted debate and thinks they can get away with that NO way, ACN,ANPP and CPC kudos to your action.

konkolok:

stale news. stone cold dead issue. go and vote your gej and your pdp. we moved on weeks ago.

batiatus:

minds are already made up. The masses are nt even using d performance in d debate as a yardstick 4 who 2 vote for.
The other parties did the right thing becos with or without d debate, pro gej wont be convinced that the president did any wrong, It is now the opposition who are d wrongdoers.

jfking2005:

This is bullshit.
All these is no longer necessary.
go and vote and make your vote count.
campaign is over!!

shikaan:

it's a shame. The opposition really does not have anything to offer. LET ME HEAR ALL NIARALANDER'S SAY 'FRESH AIR'
[/quote
FRESH AIR!

There are even insinuations that some of the candidates stayed away because they did not quite perform well in the NN24 debate moderated by NEXT’s Kadaria Ahmed

Gbawe:

You fans of GEJ are amusing with the way you think GEJ will win and all will be well . It will end in tears for all of you . A man is blatantly aiding and abetting corruption, profligacy, grotesque fiscal irresponsibility , indolence and the hideous looting of our commonwealth yet you folks are here holding brief for him? This is a man , without any iota of doubt , who enjoys the support of the most ruinous hands in Nigeria , because they think in him they have found a 'soulmate', yet you all delude yourself that Nigeria can survive much longer under GEJ and his fourty thieves? Even the so-called debate was a joke and a disgrace. limp questions , asked with total deference , accompanied with listless, vague and condescending answers. A perfect example of the decietful 'arrangee' 419 con of Nigerians that is the hallmark of the PDP . Win or lose , GEJ is f.ucked . Na me talk am . guys like GEJ , because they are just simply not attentive and astute , are often the last to see the writing on the wall. Nigeria can simply not survive GEJ's free-for-all and everyone-act-as-bad-as-they-please leadership style . You all must think we are back in 1980. You guys are blind to what is very obvious. We have seen a lot of things , all negative , happen for the first time in our history under GEJ. This is only the beginning . The criminal is always the last to see that the game is up. 

You fans of GEJ are amusing with the way you think GEJ will win and all will be well . It will end in tears for all of you . A man is blatantly aiding and abetting corruption, profligacy, grotesque fiscal irresponsibility , indolence and the hideous looting of our commonwealth yet you folks are here holding brief for him? This is a man , without any iota of doubt , who enjoys the support of the most ruinous hands in Nigeria , because they think in him they have found a 'soulmate', yet you all delude yourself that Nigeria can survive much longer under GEJ and his fourty thieves? Even the so-called debate was a joke and a disgrace. limp questions , asked with total deference , accompanied with listless, vague and condescending answers. A perfect example of the decietful 'arrangee' 419 con of Nigerians that is the hallmark of the PDP . Win or lose , GEJ is f.ucked . Na me talk am . guys like GEJ , because they are just simply not attentive and astute , are often the last to see the writing on the wall. Nigeria can simply not survive GEJ's free-for-all and everyone-act-as-bad-as-they-please leadership style . You all must think we are back in 1980. You guys are blind to what is very obvious. We have seen a lot of things , all negative , happen for the first time in our history under GEJ. This is only the beginning . The criminal is always the last to see that the game is up.

Tcrack:

this battle of words is starting to get boring. i wonder why nigerians so many cant reason.sebi you want to vote GEJ/ PDP because his name means goodluck,he is humble, he is friendly, he is fom the south south, ? go ahead, after 4 years, i will be here, you will be here,  nairaland will be here and we will  see Nigeria remain in the same sorry state it is in.

babasoty:

halleluyah---- Gbawe is back, but with the same wrong assumptions.