#2019Debate: Why Atiku walked out on debate 

The presidential candidate of People ’ s Democratic Party , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on Friday walked out of the Nigeria Election Debate Group , citing the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress .
Atiku , who arrived at the venue with PDP heavyweights , including the Senate President , Bukola Saraki, said he regretted cutting short his trip to the United States to debate with Buhari.

He said , “ 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 helms 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 .

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria . ”

Follow us on social media:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•