Buhari, Atiku boycott Presidential Debate

President Muhammadu Buhari and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday decided to boycott the 2019 presidential election debate.

The debate, organised by the Nigerian Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Plus TV Africa correspondent found out that Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not show up at the venue while Atiku Abubakar who was spotted inside the hall few minutes to the debate later decided to boycott the debate.

Mark Eddo, the moderator of the debate later informed the audience who has been eagerly waiting for an interesting debate between the duo.

Explaining the reasons for the last-minute change, Abubakar, regretted he wouldn’t be able to go on with the debate due to President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence.

The PDP presidential candidate explained further via his twitter handle:

‘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. #2019Debate”

”Afterall, 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 Candidate’s absence in this debate. His non-appearance is a slight on ALL of us and our democracy.” the tweets read.

Abubakar however, apologised to Nigerians and challenged Buhari to choose a date and time for another debate.

READ ALSO: Buhari explains why he had to boycott presidential

Other presidential contestants present at the debate are Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Obiageli Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN)

The presidential election scheduled for February 16, 2019, is expected to be keenly-contested between Buhari and Atiku.

79 candidates will contest in the presidential election, the highest number ever in Nigeria’s electoral history.