# 2019Debate: Why Buhari, Atiku shunned
presidential debate
Details have emerged on why the Presidential
candidate of the All Progressives Congress,
President Muhammadu Buhari, and the
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party, Atiku Abubakar, stayed away from the
debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate
Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of
Nigeria.
It was learnt that Buhari was advised by his
campaign team to stay away from the debate
after what was perceived as a poor outing on
Wednesday’s town hall meeting titled, ‘The
Candidate’, which was moderated by ace
journalist, Kadariah Ahmed.
At the town hall meeting which Buhari attended
alongside Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the
President failed to properly answer some
questions asked, causing the Vice-President to
bail him out on several occasions.
A source close to Buhari said, “The President
wanted to come but you can see that he is not
ready to debate some people. It is better for
him to miss the debate so that his words would
not be used against him. After all, silence cannot
be quoted.”
The source said the President had already told
Nigerians what he wanted to do at the last town
hall and that was enough.
“You want the President to go up against
motivational speakers who do this for a living?
You want him to give them a platform to
lambast him? No way! The elections will be won
on the field and not on a podium.”
Atiku, it was learnt, had arrived from the United
States at least four hours before the event.
He proceeded to the Transcorp Hotel where the
event was taking place but immediately it was
discovered that Buhari would not be attending
the event, he made a u-turn and stormed out of
the event.
In a series of tweets, Atiku wrote, “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.
“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 APC Presidential
candidate’s absence in this debate. His non-
appearance is a slight on all of us and our
democracy.
“With respect to my fellow candidates, Fela
Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu to
moderator Mark Sugar and with apologies to
Nigerians here and at home expecting an
interesting debate, I regret I will not be able to
go on with this debate due to President Buhari’s
absence.
“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.
The three Presidential candidates at the debate
including a former Minister of Education, Mrs.
Oby Ezekwesili, motivational speaker, Mr Fela
Durotoye, and a former Deputy Governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu.

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atiku