Presidential Debate 2019: President Buhari absent Atiku Abubakar present but refused to join in

– The 2019 Presidential Debate is on with other presidential candidates except for Pres. Muhammadu Buhari, who was absent and Atiku Abubakar who was present but refused to join in

– Other Presidential candidates present were Fela Durotoye of ANN, Kingsley Moghalu of YPP and Oby Ezekwesili

Mr Kinsley was this first to open the staged, said he would be sworn in come May 29.

Fela Durotoye during his statement said he has dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria and promises a nation that will work for all and sundries if elected.

He said, “I only come to you with the hope of the future of this nation.”

Oby Ezekwesili, spoke about her track record in governance and how she intends to bring 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Atiku Abubakar was present at the debate but he refused to join the other candidates on the stage, he however tendered his apologies to other candidates from other parties.

Below is a full statement made by Atiku Abubakar,

Here is his statement below:

“We came here for a Presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar can not 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. 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. 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 Candidates absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.

“Secondly, with all due respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and to the moderator and with all apologies to my Fellow Nigerians here and at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret that I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari’s absence.

“I however challenge the 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”.

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