Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 16 February Presidential election has said he refused to participate in the ongoing debate originally scheduled for five out of the over 70 candidates because President Muhammadu Buhari who he described as his main challenger , failed to appear.
Atiku breezed into the Congress hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, venue of the debate but left, refusing to take part.
In his words: “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.
“With respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu & to moderator Mark Sugar & 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.
“I however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.
“Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
