The presidential candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar respectively have come under attack for shunning Saturday’s 2019 presidential debate.
The debate was organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (BEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON).
Three presidential candidates Obiageli Ezekwesili of ACPN, Fela Durtotoye of ANN, and Kingsley Moghalu of YPP, who attended the debate slammed Buhari and Atiku, saying they have no regard for Nigerians.
According to ACPN’s Ezekwesili, “I’m not surprised they are not here. They have just simply announced their exit from the governance of our country.
“I think it is important for us to acknowledge that there is a political class that needs to fade away from our country because the idea that the will of the people will be subordinated to the whims and caprices of our politicians should be a total anomaly and, today, as we in this country focus on the ideas that will develop our country if the two dominant parties cared about the Nigerian people, they would come here in order to have a contest of ideas on how we would fix Nigeria.
“I must let you know that for the Nigerian people, this is a moment to make a clear judgment as to whether we are connected to the issues that matter to the Nigerian people.
“We showed up for this debate not because we are new entrants into politics but because we believe it is time for a new kind of governance in Nigeria.”
On his part, Moghalu said, “I am not at all surprised that the leaders of the APC and the PDP have decided to turn their back on the people of Nigeria and tell them finally, they never amounted to much in their eyes.
“The reason why they are not here: one is arrogance. They believe the people of Nigeria have no voice and no choice. They believe that you cannot move away from them.
“They believe they have trapped you, they have kept you in bondage for over too long and it is now time for us to send them a message. The second reason why they are not here is because they cannot answer the questions. Very simple, very straight-forward. They belong to the old class of recycled politicians who want to come to power with a sense of entitlement.”
Also, Durotoye had this to say, “Well, it seems that the future is here. Pride always comes before a fall and every time you believe that there is no need to tell the people the things you are going to do, it means you are not there to serve them in the first place; you are going to rule over them.
Prompt News Online reports that while President Buhari did not show up at all, Atiku showed up for the debate but backed out when he realized Buhari would not attend.
