Atiku who just returned from the United States and was at the debate venue stated that he won’t be
participating in the Presidential debate if President Buhari who held
political rallies in Niger and Plateau States today is absent.
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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 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 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.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.
Atiku Abubakar