Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has sais he decided not to participate in the presidential debate on Saturday because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s abaence
The former Vice president who juat returned from United State of America said Buhari’s non-appearance at the debate is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.
He however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and he would be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.
In a press statement which he signed , ths Waziri of Adamawa maintained that ” 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. “
He sais further that ” 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 the APC Presidential Candidate’s 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 Mark Sugar and with apologies to all 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.”