https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/01/19/presidential-debate-atiku-explains-absence/

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar said he walked out of the presidential debate because he had come to face the All Progressives Congress Candidate.

Apologising to Nigerians for his absence, Atiku noted that he could not challenge an administration when the head was not around.

Atiku aired his view at his twitter handle.

He said: "I arrived the Congress Hall of the Hilton venue of the #2019Debate. This debate and the election is a referendum on the incumbent.