A group, Wind of Hope, has offered the
presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC,
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a fresh platform to debate with
President Goodluck Jonathan of Peoples Democratic Party,
PDP, on the political situation in the country, at Chatham
House, London, United Kingdom.
In an open letter of invitation to Buhari by its National
Coordinator, Onoriode Akpe, the group noted that the
general’s performance in the speech he delivered in London
shows that he is more comfortable in London, hence, the
need to take the debate to London where the two gladiators
can square it out in a debate.
“We wish to congratulate you on your recent visit to the
United Kingdom where you delivered a speech at Chatham
House, London on February 26, 2015. Your speech at the
event is clearly a source of motivation for your supporters
who in recent times seem to have lost steam in their
aggressive marketing of your candidacy for the office of
President,” the group said.
The Wind of Hope said that with his speech, Buhari may
have acknowledged the achievements of the Jonathan
administration, but that notwithstanding, there was need for
the two of them to debate in front of the generality of
Nigerians in order for the people to know the stuff both
candidates are made of.
“In our quest to deepen democracy which thrives on robust
and constructive deliberations that aid the electorate in
making informed decisions, Wind of Hope hereby challenges
or offers you a platform to debate with the incumbent,
President Jonathan, before the forthcoming elections, at
Chatham House, where you were so obviously at ease
before your supporters and the international media.”
The group offered to “fully sponsor” such a forum, adding
that “all we ask is that you state your preferred date and
time. Again, we wish to reiterate the import of such a debate
in this election which you appropriately described as
‘Nigeria’s landmark election’ in your speech at Chatham
House.”