President Muhammadu Buhari could not attend the 2019 Debate organised for Presidential Candidates on Saturday night because the event clashed with his other major activities.
The Spokesperson for the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, Festus Keyamo, stated this in a statement on Sunday night.
The event was organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.
Giving reasons for the president’s absence, the statement said, “Firstly, out of several opportunities afforded our candidate to interact with the Nigerian people directly by different organisations, our presidential candidate has taken full advantage of another town-hall meeting organised by another group which held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.
“He was also joined at that town-hall meeting by our Vice-Presidential candidate who is also the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
“Nigerians from all walks of life who were physically present and through on-line platforms asked uncensored questions which were adequately answered. It was also transmitted live by various broadcast networks in Nigeria.
“In addition, the busy and hectic official and campaign schedules of Mr. President clashed with this programme. Today, Mr. President commissioned the Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State and campaigned in Niger and Plateau States where his time was over-stretched by the tumultuous and mammoth crowds in both States, (as seen by Nigerians on live television) and only returned to Abuja late this evening.
The council, however, said the reason given by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, was untenable as it showed he had no programe for the country.
“We note the statement of the candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who actually came for the event and left the venue when he did not see Mr. President, who is our candidate. According to him, he would not want to “attack” Mr. President in his absence.
“It should now be obvious to Nigerians that for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, this election is all about attacking the person and programmes of Mr. President and not about proffering their own solutions to the problems they created during their sixteen years of misrule, maladministration and looting of the nation’s resources.
“When they cannot see President Buhari to attack, the content of their campaign becomes hollow, empty and “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. Now that Atiku Abubakar had a unique opportunity to explain to Nigerians his own vision and mission without a President Buhari in the picture, he ran away. Afterall, he has his own eight years of crass and grand corruption as Vice President to defend before the Nigerian people.
“On February 16, 2019 we urge Nigerians to demonstrate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, through their votes, how empty indeed their campaign has always been and to vote massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN who have started the rebuilding process of our great nation.”
The PCC thanked the organisers for the invitation, assuring Nigerians to continue to hold the debate groups and Nigerians in high esteem which Buhari has demonstrated during past election debates when he honoured similar invitations.
“Nigerians will also recall that a few weeks ago, our Vice-Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also attended the debate organised by the same organisations,” the statement added.
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I can't believe that Festus Keyamo could considense so low as to speak and defend Buhari. Though, the saying that lawyers are liars. But he doesn't seem to have any intehrity in him at all. Wondering how much he was bought for
ReplyDeleteHe planned not coming and he has lost my vote already
ReplyDeleteTheir usual fabrication and unending excuses why things are not done. Mistake of 2015 must not be repeated.
ReplyDeleteLet us hope for a better Nigeria. A Nigeria where the leaders will be more open and trusted.
ReplyDeleteIt is well, hardly get truth from this set of government for one day,
ReplyDeleteThe man is avoiding live interaction with Nigerians. Hes eighther Jubril or Suffering dimentia as widely speculated. Which ever is the case, the man is a scam
ReplyDeletebuhari 4+4 no wahala
ReplyDeletewho is the president of this country, who is ruling my dear country? I discover that the last town hall meeting,the vice president was d one doing the talking why d President was unable to grab and understand questions thrown at him, but I think it will be hard for him to respond to burning questions dat Nigerians will throw at him.am in dark to know wat is happening to our political system, I pray God help us
ReplyDeleteWhy viewers still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is
ReplyDeleteexisting on net?
Festus!!!!, Your excuses on behalf of the president are as shallow as the depth of lie!!!!. Stop painting your future black because of the political ambition of others. Your records will be tracked when your political interest is unvaled .
ReplyDeleteThis statement shows that festus keyamo will sell his children for a plate of porridge. Selfish vultures feeding off our money through buhari. God will judge all of you.
ReplyDelete