Atiku boycotts debate over Buhari’s absence, challenges president to fresh face-off

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has finally decided to boycott the flagship 2019 presidential debate.

Atiku said he was boycotting the debate due to the absence of the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari.

“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,” Atiku said via Twitter.

“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.”

Atiku apologised to other presidential candidates over his decision to boycott the debate, and challenged Buhari to a fresh debate.

“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.”