The absence of President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential debate did not come as a surprise to some yet the comments poured in from different angles.
Citing Buhari’s absence, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made a last-minute decision to withdraw from the exercise.
It ended up being between Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), and Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).
Here are some Twitter reactions to the absence of the candidates of the two dominant parties:
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We will create another opportunity and the absentee candidates will have to pay for the organization. This debate must happen! So free up your calendar. Stop insulting us. https://t.co/Ki5CrizUrK
— SEGA L'éveilleur® (@segalink) January 19, 2019
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Atiku just left the Hilton venue of #2019Debate. You can imagine his disappointment. He flew back. He did not rest. He rushed from the airport to have a shower and a change of clothes. And then he was there physically. What excuse does @MBuhari have for not showing up? None!
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) January 19, 2019
We are watching a Presidential debate that was boycotted by the sitting president, and during a break, we are served with a campaign ad for his re-election.
AdvertisementAm I the only one feeling insulted by this?#Presidentialdebate2019 #2019Debate pic.twitter.com/PZFiz4VUSX
— Benny (@BenUgbana) January 19, 2019
Dear younger candidates, u have no business debating each other. If truly you want power to change hands, you're supposed to pull your resources together in this presidential election, just as you're holding hands here. Stop splitting your votes. But what do I know? #2019Debate pic.twitter.com/TkEULUis0y
Advertisement— Adeola Fayehun (@AdeolaFayehun) January 19, 2019
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People are more angry at @atiku who flew in from the US, landed at almost 0300pm, changed & was at the venue of #2019Debate at 0615pm than they are @MBuhari who is Abuja but refuses to take a 5min drive from Aso Rock to the venue? Lmao
— 20.10.2020 (@I_Am_Ilemona) January 19, 2019
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Atiku came for #2019debate. He was at the venue.
AdvertisementBut Personally, I would have preferred if @atiku had mounted the podium, gave a very brief speech and announced to the nation that he would not continue with the Debate due to Buhari's absence…then walks off stage.
— Prof Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) January 19, 2019
Say what you want about @atiku not showing up but the optics are horrible and quite frankly, is a bad sign about how they will govern if they win.
Nigerians, make sure neither of them win. #2019Debate
— Sandra Ezekwesili (@SEzekwesili) January 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/OgbeniDipo/status/1086699375324217344
From a point of political strategy it makes sense for @atiku not to have debated at the #2019Debate. His performance would have been analysed & criticised for days by APC supporters.
Why give that opportunity to opponents without gaining the same advantage?
— 20.10.2020 (@I_Am_Ilemona) January 19, 2019
Even @NTANewsNow that is our national TV station is currently not showing the #2019Debate, that explains more how the President @MBuhari led presidency rate the debate. But some supposed intellectuals prefer to attack @atiku that rushed into the country from US to attend.
— Olúyẹmí Fásípè AICMC (@YemieFash) January 19, 2019
Is the #2019Debate for an ATTACK or to make clear on your proposed policies to the electorates? pic.twitter.com/5UEVql5HiO
— GbemiOyebisi™💯 (@iamGbemiOyebisi) January 19, 2019
Without @atiku on that stage, these 3 candidates look like Division 2 club sides. 😭😭😭😭 #2019Debate
— Jamal (@JajaPhD) January 19, 2019
Sadly what will be the headlines in tomorrows papers is not the brilliance of the candidates that debated or their plans if elected but that two candidates were absent. #2019Debate
— Yinka Chukwuemeka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) January 19, 2019
Atiku couldn't have stood a chance if he debated any of the candidates present for the debate. Which is why he came up with the excuse that he only wanted to debate PMB. #2019debate
— Lekan Oyapero (@OOyapero) January 19, 2019
Baba👴🏽 Buhari did not👎🏼 Make it to the #2019debate 🎤Because he can undergo Ear surgery👨🏻⚕️ twice✌🏽 in 4years. The Grammar🗣 to Much to hear👂🏼Even Atiku👨🏽💻 go wear earpiece at a point!
— 𝕂halifA ® (@Marshal_SAMS0N) January 19, 2019
In 2011, Buhari participated in d debate, Jonathan didnt participate, Jonathan won.
In 2015, Jonathan participated in d debate, Buhari didnt participate, Buhari won.
Lesson: Nigerians dont vote debaters!
In 2019, d major contenders didnt debate. Who is gonna win?#2019debate
— Mojisola Cicilia (@moji_sola5) January 19, 2019
If you deeply observe, everything cum event is your teacher. Imagine how NEDG/BON Debate shot themselves in the leg with the exclusion of @YeleSowore. Now look at what they have on the set…The gap tooth of a General. 🚶🏿♀️#2019Debate
— SEGA L'éveilleur® (@segalink) January 19, 2019
When you observe the Buhari campaign Ads that have been bombarded on @channelstv #2019debate , why do I suspect the APC plan was for @atiku to attend the Debate so that Oby, Fela & Moghalu would form 'tag team' and bring Atiku down, while we all forget Buhari's absence. .🤗
— Prof Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) January 19, 2019
My Verdict – #2019Debate
Kingsley Moghalu – Sharp, Prepared, Energized. Won the debate
Fela Durotoye – Strong closing remark. Other than that no significant take away
Oby Ezekwesili – Was ok but lacked energy. Could have been better.— Yinka Chukwuemeka Ogunnubi (@yinkanubi) January 19, 2019
My 12 year old son just asked me why #Buhari and #Atiku did not come for the debate?
After explaining to him, his response:
What Rubbish Is That?#2019Debate
— Olajide Alex-Oni CWM (@jidealexoni) January 19, 2019
I have heard people say that they won't vote Atiku because he's not on stage at the #2019Debate to tell Nigerians his plan.
Please be aware that @atiku's plan is detailed in the Atiku Plan document on https://t.co/Z5tLCQXE1w.
A vote for Atiku is a vote for your wellbeing.
— Jamal (@JajaPhD) January 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheMbuhari/status/1086712864814100481
In some countries, losing the debate could cost you the election, not to mention boycotting it. In Nigeria…Arsenal 2 Chelsea 0 FT #2019Debate
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) January 19, 2019
Osinbajo: Excuse me sir, they are waiting for you for the debate.
Buhari: Tell them l am not aware of it.#2019Debate #presidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/ZC7WtBi8k9
— Adetutu Balogun, MBA (@Tutsy22) January 19, 2019
Do you expect Atiku to be debating with APC proxy candidates?
Since Buhari has said he missed #2019debate due to hectic schedule, we want Aso Rock to fix date, time and Venue… We want a robust debate, not motivational speaking session.
— Prince Laja Adeoye 🇳🇬 (@AdelajaAdeoye) January 19, 2019
#2019Debate It is curious that the two candidates that walked out on the debate are of Northern origin, an area with the largest voter population and the highest number of illiterates who would not watch the debate or understand the debate!
— Albert (@Albert_Ach) January 19, 2019
The true definition of Hypocrisy is a Nigerian.
All of you saying I won't vote for Atiku because he didn't debate are same people who made excuses for Buhari not debating in 2015 and voted him and still made excuses for him today.
#2019Debate pic.twitter.com/GBOS9GfpSI— If¥™ (@nnekei) January 19, 2019
Since the two major candidates refused to show up for the debate, we could have just voted for Fela Durotoye sha, but the thing is he doesn't know how to rig elections well yet. 😭😭😭#2019Debate
— MrProf Victor Ehiogu (@MrProfOfficial) January 19, 2019
Fela Durotoye and Madam Oby are selling you dreams.
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We will lift 80million people out of poverty, with what? Bulldozer?
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Alumni and private sector will fund education
YCEE AND Reekado banks will fund Unilag. 😂😂
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He has forgotten businesses pay Education Tax.#2019debate pic.twitter.com/6tQMK3x2Af— The Kingmaker 🦥 (@SmithVinci) January 19, 2019
#2019Debate The no show of @MBuhari and @atiku is quite simply disrespectful to 200million Nigerians. This generational disdain is the red line between doddering relics of the Military-Political Complex & the quantum possibilities of a future Nigeria. Vote for the future. Yours!
— Tunji Lardner (@TunjiLardner) January 19, 2019
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