The shunning of the Saturday’s presidential debate by President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar really hurt other candidates who expressed dismay over the situation.

President Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier indicated he would not attend the debate while Abubakar assured the nation he would attend.

While President Buhari did not show up at all, Atiku showed up at the venue only to leave without participating in the event.

He blamed his decision on Buhari’s absence.

The debate was organised by Nigeria Elections Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria at the Trans-corp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The situation infuriated the presidential candidates of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Alliance for New Democracy (ANN), and Young Progressives Party (YPP) who were at the debate.

Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili of ACPN, Mr. Fela Durtotoye of ANN, and Mr. Kingsley Moghalu of YPP, who were at the presidential debate expressed disgust over the refusal of the main candidates to honour the debate.

They said the absence of Buhari and Atiku indicated that they and their parties have no regard for Nigerians and lacked the answers to critical questions.

Ezekwesili said: “I’m not surprised they are not here. They have just simply announced their exit from the governance of our country.

“I think it is important for us to acknowledge that there is a political class that needs to fade away from our country because the idea that the will of the people will be subordinated to the whims and caprices of our politicians should be a total anomaly.

“Today, as we in this country focus on the ideas that will develop our country if the two dominant parties cared about the Nigerian people, they would come here in order to have a contest of ideas on how we would fix Nigeria.

“I must let you know that for the Nigerian people, this is a moment to make a clear judgment as to whether we are connected to the issues that matter to the Nigerian people.

“We showed up for this debate not because we are new entrants into politics but because we believe it is time for a new kind of governance in Nigeria.”

Moghalu said that the absence of the heavyweights was a display of arrogance.

“I am not at all surprised that the leaders of the APC and the PDP have decided to turn their back on the people of Nigeria and tell them finally, they never amounted to much in their eyes.

“The reason why they are not here: one is arrogance. They believe the people of Nigeria have no voice and no choice. They believe that you cannot move away from them.

“They believe they have trapped you, they have kept you in bondage for over too long and it is now time for us to send them a message. The second reason why they are not here is because they cannot answer the questions. Very simple, very straight-forward. They belong to the old class of recycled politicians who want to come to power with a sense of entitlement.”

Durotoye stressed that both Buhari and Atiku have set themselves up for a fall.

“Well, it seems that the future is here. Pride always comes before a fall and every time you believe that there is no need to tell the people the things you are going to do, it means you are not there to serve them in the first place; you are going to rule over them.

Opening talks on the nation’s economy, Moghalu said the country currently lacked an economic philosophy.

He stated that the country must first decide whether it is practicing a capitalist or socialist ideology.

“So, my approach to the Nigerian economy is first to focus on reforming the educational system; ensure that our young people have the skills that can make them competitive in the 21st century and the skills that can give them jobs or help them to set up their own jobs.

“Then we will give them access to finance which my government will do through the creation of N1 trillion venture capital fund which will give equity capital, not loans that will have to be repaid.

“This is because loans carry interests in Nigeria that is too high or we may not have the collateral to be able to access them.

“So, we will invest in new businesses that will create millions of jobs within the first four years.

“Therefore, the approach that we will have is skill, capital and literacy, that is what will fix the Nigerian economy and take it into industrialisation,’’ Moghalu said.

On his plan for economic diversification especially through building the non-oil sector, Durotoye identified agriculture, housing and infrastructure as the most important sectors that should be focused on.

He said his government would ensure that it fixed the power sector, roads and provide housing for Nigerians, adding that his plan is to provide 30 million jobs.

He said the commodity sector needed to be strengthened so that farmers could have their produce promptly cleared.

On her part, Ezekwesili said her plan is to lift at least 80 million Nigerians out of poverty through improvement in the productivity of majority of Nigerians who “earn less than N700 a day’’.

To do this, she said her government would evolve policies and programmes targeting people engaged in the services sector which constitutes about 60 per cent of the country’s GDP.

On their their strategies to tackle insecurity in the country, Moghalu said he would abolish corruption in the military if elected as president.

Moghalu said his administration would ensure high level of intelligence gathering among the locals while collaborating with neighbouring countries to tackle terrorism.

He identified bad economy as the major factor feeding insecurity in the country saying if elected, his administration would ensure the economy booms.

Moghalu said that additional policemen would be recruited, trained and equipped to create a 21st century police force that would tackle kidnapping and other crimes.

On his part, Durotoye said if elected, he would ensure security agencies are strengthened to do their job well.

Durotoye said under his administration, the leadership of security agencies would not be based on sentiment but competence and professionalism.

He said men and officers of various security agencies would be properly motivated with modern and standard equipment, vehicles among others.

Durotoye said his administration would ensure that officers and men of the military would be properly taken care of while they are alive and their families would be catered for when they pass away.

He said under his watch, security would be in the hands of the citizens as he plans to run participatory government with a new ideology.


Ezekwesili said she would send a sharp message that “there is a new sheriff in town.”

According to her, those who engage in savagery know that there is no consistency for their actions as the judiciary has not convicted anyone.

Ezekwesili said if elected, she would ensure a SWART team for quick response and technology would be deployed to gather intelligence.

She said her administration would ensure that intelligent officers would be identified and given leadership roles (NAN)

https://www.nan.ng/news/disappointed-candidates-blast-buhari-akitu/amp/

buhari is the defending champion, he need not to debate with dwarfs including the major dwarf thief atiku,
meanwhile, what they all said concerning the fight against corruption, security and economy are right and what they said is what buhari is already doing,
which render the debate unnecessary.

To me, Atiku goofed on this debate issue. A look into past debates will reveal incumbents hardly attends. Yeah, we know majority of voters have made up their minds on their preferred candidates but still there are fence sitters who are still undecided on their choice of candidates and his excuse is just not tenable. Dude, this is not a competion against Buhari. This was a chance to present your plan and ideas to those you want and votes and plan to govern. As for Buhari, that one no just know book and he no wan disgrace himself. In conclussion, the attitude of the two 'leading candidates' leaves a lot to be desired and it shows they don't give a hoot about us.

Maxymilliano:
Atiku showed up. He owned his decision not to debate to the absence of the incumbent.

He apologised.

Nigerians should face Buhari who didn’t show up and would never apologize.

Just shut up. Was the debate a personal debate between Atiku and Buhari or a platform to present his ideas and solutions to problems bedeviling Nigerians? You are one of the reasons the Atikus and d Buharis will always be arrogant. The sooner the PDP realise the 2019 elections ain't just about trying to capture power from d APC for d sake of it, the better for us all.

in Nigeria, debate don't win elections

Atiku showed up. He owned his decision not to debate to the absence of the incumbent.

He apologised.

Nigerians should face Buhari who didn’t show up and would never apologize.

Immediately the date for the debates were released, everyone knew the dullard would abscond.

If ordinary town halls and Media chats, the demented man can't partake in, there was no chance in the world he was gonna participate in the debate.

Even in America, the debates are always all about the two leading candidate, so there was no need for Atiku to debate yesterday when it became certain the dullard ran.

The Dullard should accept the Atiku challenge and debate him anywhere. Even in the wardrobe the cabal are hiding him.

Those who are disappointed are still a learner in politics.

One of them will rule for another 4 years..

Sebi we no wan receive sense ni

ok
Truth is nobody is disappointed in buhari not attending, we all knew he wouldnt
Atiku was the one who disappointed, no wonder people bashed him more than buhari!!

Buhari and Atiku are birds of a feather flocking together.

ATIKU IS A FOOL and a criminal.
He has nothing to offer than to come back to steal.
Someone that has good plans for the country would have grabbed Buhari's absence with both hands.
Barawo. Thief , Anuofia. Ole Atiku.

Thanks my incoming president

I will not continue with this job interview because my fellow applicant is not here to do the interview too...
Smuggled Americana Himself..

According to Atiku and his miscreants, if Buhari steps aside and declines contesting in the presidential election, Atiku will follow suit since he's only there to undo Buhari.

Talk about quintessential zombies ..

The best Atiku is right now and will remain is Personal Assistant to Saraki.

we agree debate dont win election, but atleast let him participate in it.

olodo president and the olodo people will vote him again.

Are we Nigerians not tired!!! have we not been used long enough by these aged dimwits?? can't we just think Outside the box for once?? say NO to PDP, say NO to APC

TheGreenLand:
ATIKU IS A FOOL and a criminal.
He has nothing to offer than to come back to steal.
Someone that has good plans for the country would have grabbed Buhari's absence with both hands.
Barawo. Thief , Anuofia. Ole Atiku.

King Solomon!!! Well done sir

There's no need to mince words about this...becos he went on a tour, they thought he had political momentum, well he finally lost it.

Atiku can never be an option.

Atiku and 40 looters in Aso rock!

NuclearReactor:

u should just hide ur face in shame!!

no, u better hide ur face in d toilet, loser in life.
u always hate d truth

TheGreenLand:
ATIKU IS A FOOL and a criminal.
He has nothing to offer than to come back to steal.
Someone that has good plans for the country would have grabbed Buhari's absence with both hands.
Barawo. Thief , Anuofia. Ole Atiku.

Sister what's up nah?

Is ok o

MannaFromHeaven:

King Solomon!!! Well done sir

King Saul get out.
i no see u

They should leave the duo and ficus on their own.

Atiku can't bring the change Nigeria needs
https://www.thecable.ng/ezekwesili-atiku-cant-bring-the-change-nigeria-needs

Maxymilliano:
Atiku showed up. He owned his decision not to debate to the absence of the incumbent.

He apologised.

Nigerians should face Buhari who didn’t show up and would never apologize.

Buhari must not attend.

Maxymilliano:
Atiku showed up. He owned his decision not to debate to the absence of the incumbent.

He apologised.

Nigerians should face Buhari who didn’t show up and would never apologize.

Shame on you, PDP paid per post nigga.

Buhari stated earlier that he won't show up for the debate. Why did Atiku go to the debate at all because he was already aware Buhari won't show up. He only pulled that stupid trick for his gullible followers like you.

Atiku knows he is no match for the people present at the debate, they would have taken him to the cleaners. He knows that, that is why he is looking for his fellow dullard (Buhari) to debate with.

His flimsy excuse can only fly for dimmits, they are so paper thin and can blow away with the wind.

Why are the majority of Nigerians dumb
Imagine all the presidents that won elections since inception do not attend debate before winning.

In a country like America that has so many smart people, you can never win if you avoid debates.

How can people that claim to be educated or smart vote for any of those two dumb men

Aren't you people ashamed defending stupid people You appear stupider when you do so.


Sowore for President.
#TakeItBack

buharitill2023:
buhari is the defending champion, he need not to debate with dwarfs including the major dwarf thief atiku,
meanwhile, what they all said concerning the fight against corruption, security and economy are right and what they said is what buhari is already doing,
which render the debate unnecessary.

They have arrived to defend a man who don't know if he is the presidential candidate

NuclearReactor:

This are the stupid bmc members that said if atiku doesnt go to US buhari shouldnt attend the debate

this is d mumu thief supporting a big thief. i know i wella... oleeeee, barawo

Woe onto Channels TV.
The leading political partisan, dream killing and the most bias TV station in the country.
Willing presidential candidates who were ready to come defend their manifestos were stripped off their presence. But to their amazement, the leading two presidential candidates who they so much hoped on dashed their expectations by not attending.
What a big blow to their stupidity.
For those still supporting Buhari and Atiku, You are conspicuously a Big Enemy of the country.
In well civilised countries, these two people would automatically lose their prestige and votes.
Apc Buhari and Pdp Atiku is a failure.

Yet we will still vote those that treat us like shiit! We deserve every idiots ruling us because we refuse to have sense