Atiku’s Withdrawal from the Debate is a Tactical Masterstroke

By Farooq Kperogi

I’ve read commentaries that aver that Atiku’s decision to bail out of Saturday’s presidential debate in protest against Buhari’s decision not to participate in it was a tactical error. I disagree. Here is why.

The presidential debate is designed to be a match--or, if you like, a push and pull-- between the defending champion, i.e., Buhari, and contenders to the title he holds, i.e., Atiku, Moghalu, Madam Oby, Sowore, and others. If the defending champion declines to thrown his hat into the ring, the entire match becomes pointlessly self-injurious to the challengers. In other words, it would have been a fatal strategic and tactical error for Atiku to partake in a potentially bruising contest with other challengers while the defending championing sits pretty somewhere unhurt.

I’ve read other people suggest that Atiku, being Buhari’s closest challenger, should have used the opportunity of the debate to sell himself to Nigerians. Well, that’s what #NgTheCandidates town hall chat is there for. You don’t sell your agenda by making yourself vulnerable to potentially deathly blows from other challengers who don’t hold the title you are fighting for.

Instead of pillorying Atiku for not taking part in the debate, we should question the other candidates for agreeing to participate in a meaningless dueling match with each other when the defending champion who holds the crown they want to grab chose to run away. Their performance in the debate would only be meaningful if it’s measured against the performance of the defending champion.

From a tactical point of view, I also don’t blame Buhari for refusing to show up for the debate. His mental and physical infirmities are now on full display and would be exposed even more in the unscripted, back-and-forth format of a debate. The cabal that minds him already deeply regrets allowing him to take part in Thursday's town-hall chat because his cringe-worthy performance at the event dramatized his dementia and aggrandized his unfitness for the job of president. His campaign trail mishaps aren't helping, either. Another bruise from a debate would seal his fate before Election Day.

In a tragic irony, Buhari and Atiku are less qualified for the presidency than all the other contenders are, yet it is either of them that will emerge president in February. That’s why both candidates are more guarded and strategic in their choices than the rest.

2011 Jonathan missed Debate and he won the election, 2015 Buhari missed the debate and he won the election.
Now 2019 Buhari wanted to use that logic never knew Atiku is a guy man.

paiz:
2011 Jonathan missed Debate and he won the election, 2015 Buhari missed the debate and he won the election.
Now 2019 Buhari wanted to use that logic never knew Atiku is a guy man.

Buhari will be shocked after February 16 this I can assure you. That guy is a terrible man, I mean a man travelled down all the way from US and just had few hours to prepare himself for the debate and all what Buhari could do is to scram?

When it comes to strategy, give it to Atiku. For Bubu, forget that one...

Atiku no fit speak english that's why he is hiding. a whole presidential candidate going to USA as an aide to a senator what a shame. febuhari 16 make una gather here.

Atiku over Buhari any day.

Ratello:


Buhari will be shocked after February 16 this I can assure you. That guy is a terrible man, I mean a man travelled down all the way from US and just had few hours to prepare himself for the debate and all what Buhari could do is to scram?

I will be here to console you from the 18th of FeBUHARI

[s]

cenaman:
Atiku no fit speak english that's why he is hiding. a whole presidential candidate going to USA as an aid a senator what a shame. febuhari 16 make una gather here.

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[s]

modath:


I will be here to console you from the 18th of FeBUHARI

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Better start atikulating because the "slumping general" will be retired back to daura cantonement come May 29, 2019.

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deomelo:
lmao @ dumb and clueless thiefKulooters.


While athiefKulooters dey formulate debate drama, where was PMB? He was in Jos locking down the whole state and effectively taking Northern states with back to back massive and major rallies with many more all over the country even deep into the SW all at the same time.
,
The massive crowd in Jos care less about athiefKulooter and his idiotic debate drama.


Dumb ass mofos..

[/s]
How can he be taking over northern states when he's busy falling all over the place?

www.nairaland.com/attachments/8539601_img20190119wa0045_jpeg212f2e2d23f6d931d2e79f3bc292fff4

PMB shut down the whole of Jos with the most massive rally ever while stupid, dumb and clueless athiefKUlooter was forming drama queen with debate.

The folks in the Jos pictures don't give a shit about athiefKulooter and his debate headache.

What a dumbass..

www.nairaland.com/attachments/8539601_img20190119wa0045_jpeg212f2e2d23f6d931d2e79f3bc292fff4 .


Just look at the goofy dufus doing makeup even though he knew PMB was in Jos and won't be at the event, but the dumbass showed up just to create drama and end up leaving the debate.

Thank God his drama backfired all over his face and babariga..

deomelo:
www.nairaland.com/attachments/8539601_img20190119wa0045_jpeg212f2e2d23f6d931d2e79f3bc292fff4 .


Just look at the goofy dufus doing makeup even though he knew PMB was in Jos and won't be at the event, but the dumbass showed up just to create drama and end up leaving the debate.

Thank God his drama backfired all over his face and babariga..

Shut up.

Oh yes o!

MASTERCRAFT. . . . .

APC think say dem get sense!

Another 4 years of cabal ruling WITH A DEAF AND DUMB PRESI-DEMEN-TIAL FIGURE- HEAD as President?

This is what you call a spin. Any failed attempt at reaching the electorate is not a plus for any politician.

deomelo:
lmao @ dumb and clueless thiefKulooters.


While athiefKulooters dey formulate debate drama, where was PMB? He was in Jos locking down the whole state and effectively taking Northern states with back to back massive and major rallies with many more all over the country even deep into the SW all at the same time.
,
The massive crowd in Jos care less about athiefKulooter and his idiotic debate drama.


Dumb ass mofos..

What is the difference between RALLY and DEBATE?

A. Rally is jamboree for street urchins, one way/unstructured communication

B. Debate: Intelligent/structured discourse for sane minds.


Deductively speaking, based on your baseless reason above, you and your paymaster belong to GROUP A


Sadly, an educated mind like you keep supporting backwardness and anti developmental strategies against our collective future growth to your selfish gain!

Too bad!

I think this is a big mistake from the side of Atiku.

tinsel:
I think this is a big mistake from the side of Atiku.

But Buhari is untouchably innocent ba!

Shame!

The absence of both Buhari and Atiku at the debate has not changed anything.

Present or absent, both candidates have their supporters locked down and the debate would not have changed their mind.

The question is, where will Atiku's votes come from?

Only politically ignorant will ask same question about Buhari having witnessed his campaigns in Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Kogi, Plateau, Niger and Edo states. The more a section hates him, the more his supporters love him.

[i]The truth is Africans have for sometime been in the dark in regards to the agenda of world powers. Now some are coming of age to see the original 419 and fraud that is and has happened in their land.


Buhari and Atiku have contested against each other in the past. They are working secretly in the interest of the same people.

Have you ever wondered why Buhari was the opposition candidate for 4 straight elections (12 years) and emerged each time under the covers?

Even when the original date for elections in 2015 was shifted PDP stated it was to enable people to get their PVC

But it was Bullsh.it, because Buhari was secretly hospitalized in YANKEE....and that was why the election was postponed until he was somewhat fit to "win" .

Now Atiku, a criminal suddenly is getting the support from those abroad, and can suddenly travel freely?


HMMMMM....

Anyway, you people allow yourselves to be deceived and corrupted.... It's a pity

The next president will be sworn in without having done a debate, townhill meeting, live interview, etc.

WHAT A SHYTHOLE NATION AND PEOPLE.

Your children will suffer...

Konki:


But Buhari is untiuchably innocent ba!

Shame!

You are a business man and your major competitor decides not to produce, is it not your advantage to gain the market?

tinsel:

You are a business man and your major competitor decides not to produce, is it not your advantage to gain the market?

I disagree with your analogy.

You are a challenger and the title holder fails to turn up for a fight, will you enter the ring and fight the referee and spectators ?

In as much as I would have wished he debated, APC had earlier belittled it and moreover, who knows what the ruling party had in stock for their opponents, they are capable of sending missiles to the venue in the quest to silent all the opponents.

Atiku is a very good strategist.

PassingShot:
The absence of both Buhari and Atiku at the debate has not changed anything.

Present or absent, both candidates have their supporters locked down and the debate would not have changed their mind.

The question is, where will Atiku's votes come from?

Only politically ignorant will ask same question about Buhari having witnessed his campaigns in Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Kogi, Plateau, Niger and Edo states. The more a section hates him, the more his supporters love him.

Tell us why a sane mind will love

Dementia

Senile fragility for a rigorous job

Poor cognitive ability

If you are an employer, will you employ a candidate with such traits?

Over tactical........

He did well by withdrawing

modath:


I will be here to console you from the 18th of FeBUHARI

lol

If Atiku can't speak English what will happen when it comes to Buhari?

cenaman:
Atiku no fit speak english that's why he is hiding. a whole presidential candidate going to USA as an aid a senator what a shame. febuhari 16 make una gather here.