Jonathan may shun presidential debate


Written by Taiwo Adisa, Abuja Friday, 04 March 2011

IT emerged in Abuja on Thursday that the campaign organisation of President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may shun the planned presidential debate as a result of the failure of opposition parties to join the presidential campaign train.

Sources told the Nigerian Tribune that the president’s men believed that opposition leaders were not serious about campaigning for votes in the April polls, but were seeking avenues to discredit the process.
It was disclosed that the president’s team queried what was termed the penchant for opposition parties to take the people for granted by refusing to mount the podium and campaign in the states.

One of those who spoke against the debate at a review meeting was said to have asked the PDP to be wary of falling into the opposition’s trap by raising the profile of the television debate as if the statewide tours were irrelevant.

For instance, some of those who argued against the presidential debate for the forthcoming election said that while the PDP had been deploying its resources to campaign in the six geopolitical zones and 36 states, the other political parties were sleeping, apparently saving their money for litigation after the election.

“The essence of political campaigns should not be lost on all of us and the ploy by some parties to do minimal campaign while waiting for what they believe would be technical knockouts should not be encouraged. Rather than entrench democracy, such attitudes would retard democratic growth,” a source said.

It was gathered that the president had been told clearly that he should shun any debate with the opposition parties, if their leaders refuse to tour the states and campaign in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“If the opposition [groups] are merely waiting for slips by the PDP and seeking to exploit the loopholes in the system, then the PDP should discountenance them and continue with its campaigns, rather than break its campaign to appear before the television audience,” a source said.

The source said that while the PDP had been on the campaign train for two weeks, the opposition basically went to sleep, adding that, so far, only the PDP was sure of touring the 36 states before the end of the time allotted for campaigns.

“We don’t see any reason the president would sit down on the same platform with those who cannot reach out to the people in an issues-based campaign, those who only want to hide in one corner looking for whatever they called technical victory. Campaigns have to be first taken to the people,” another source monitoring the process said.

One of those who spoke against the debate at a review meeting was said to have asked the PDP to be wary of[b] falling into the opposition’s trap by raising the profile of the television debate as if the statewide tours were irrelevant[/b].

Lagosboy:

Shame oh shame, well if GEJ refuses to show up the other aspirants should turn up and tell the poulace their plans.

http://dailytrust.dailytrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13423:jonathan-backs-out-of-presidential-debate&catid=2:lead-stories&Itemid=8

President Goodluck Jonathan may not participate in the presidential debate to be organised by the NN24 and its associate as his representative tactfully refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the event which is to be televised live on March 8 and 15.
However representatives of the three of the four leading presidential candidates in the upcoming April general elections signed the agreement on behalf of their principals. They are: Osita Okechukwu for Gen Muhammad Buhari (rtd) of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Sule Yau Sule for Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Ibrahim Modibbo for Nuhu Ribadu of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).


The representative of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Doyin Okupe, however refused to sign the MoU.

He said he was at the occasion with the hope of attending a press briefing, explaining that he could not sign the MoU because he does not know the content and has not discussed with his principal.

Daily Trust gathered that the action may not be unconnected with reports in the media that said President Jonathan’s representative was demanding for advance debate questions as a precondition for participating in the event.

Reacting on the development, the Founder/Chief Executive of NN24, Anthony Dara, apologised for any embarrassment which the said publication might have caused.

Dara said the March 1 meeting in Abuja with representatives of the ACN, ANPP, CPC and PDP was in furtherance of NN24’s quest to host a neutral Presidential Debate among the four leading candidates.

He said “that at the said meeting, all parties asked questions about the format and manner in which the debate would be conducted”, adding that “NN24 and Associates wishes to urge all parties to refrain from misrepresentations and slanted reporting of events going forward”.

When asked to clarify the remarks made by Dr Okupe, he said the occasion was not a press conference but rather an avenue to sign a document that provides ground rules for the debate which was discussed at the earlier meeting. He added that the media report on their earlier meeting led to the issuance of the press release which he read.

He promised to reach out to the representatives of the PDP to ensure that all the leading presidential candidates were involved, stressing that the debate was aimed at providing a platform to promote nation building and to give opportunity for the candidates to sell their programmes.

“We want to set standards. We have a platform with a wide reach. We are seen across the continent. We have a footprint on our satellite system across the nation. We are on DSTV. And on this special broadcast, every broadcast and media company is free to take the signal off DSTV. So our programme is readily available to anyone. This debate will also be live on the internet. It is going to be on Sky in Europe. It will be viewed across Europe. We will field in the signals via broadcast and World TV in the United States. This platform is unique because on that very day, there is going to be worldwide broadcast,” Dara said.

The Director of Media and Communication for Nuhu Ribadu Campaign Organisation Modibbo appealed to President Jonathan to also avail himself of the opportunity provided by the debate as the first Phd holder as President of Nigeria. “Let him (Jonathan) make the difference. He is an educated man. Let him come. We challenge him. Let him not run away from a debate,” he added.

The Presidential Debate, which is strictly by invitation, will hold on March 8 at Eko Hotel in Lagos and March 15 at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

The debate for all the Vice Presidential candidates will hold on March 11 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. All the events are scheduled to hold between 6 p.m and 9 p.m

Abu-Maryam:

zoologist at work , na Animals he want to debate with not humans, Shame on u GEJ!!!!!!

Andre Uweh:

What an idiotic response. What PHD does Buhari have?.

Andre Uweh:

What an idiotic response. What PHD does Buhari have?.

Abu-Maryam:

Sharap who mention Buhari Olodo

Andre Uweh:

Monkey, I know your evil mind already. Shitt-licker.

oyb:

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/18410-jonathan-may-shun-presidential-debate
if the other parties were looting the nation blind maybe they'd be able to waste their resources

btw, who is running the country while gej gallivants?

U de vex?:

^
Stop corrupting the word, "change." Learn the meaning first.

Pharoh:

I think you people should stop abusing the president , it is very uncalled for to say the truth.

egift:

He is moronic, clueless and incompetent. If your son needs expo before he will accept to go for exams - what will you call him?

Apart from rigging, he have no chance. But unfortunately for him if April election is not decided by voters decision then tanks and armor will not preserve it for him.

dayokanu:

How can a PhD holder be avoiding a debate with Mallams?

egift:

He is moronic, clueless and incompetent. If your son needs expo before he will accept to go for exams - what will you call him?

Apart from rigging, he have no chance. But unfortunately for him[b] if April election is not decided by voters decision then tanks and armor will not preserve it for him.[/b]

Pharoh:

Because they are not in the same class and debating with them will put a dent on is reputation so he better do it with people that has something there upstairs.

I am very sure that you will be the one to lead the battle when it starts after your usual boasting here on nairaland. I am sure you are very competent more than the president so what evidence do you have to prove that?. Why can't you join the presidential race or run for any elective post to fix the country if you are not moronic and clueless as well.

Pharoh:

Because they are not in the same class and debating with them will put a dent on is reputation so he better do it with people that has something there upstairs.

I am very sure that you will be the one to lead the battle when it starts after your usual boasting here on nairaland. I am sure you are very competent more than the president so what evidence do you have to prove that?. Why can't you join the presidential race or run for any elective post to fix the country if you are not moronic and clueless as well.