Atiku, Buhari under fire for boycotting presidential debate

The five candidates present at the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), have reacted to the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar form presidential debate.

DAILY POST reported earlier that President Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku, shunned the event.

While Atiku had in a statement given Buhari’s absence as his reasons for boycotting the debate, the APC candidate, Buhari did not give any reason behind his absence.

However, candidates present at the debate; Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Oby Ezekwesili of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) and Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have condemned Atiku and Buhari for their absence.

Reacting during the debate, Moghalu said the first reason Buhari and Atiku are not around for 2019Debate is arrogance, adding they have taken Nigerians for granted.

According to him, “There are two reasons they are not here: Arrogance: They believe Nigerians will always come to them. They have a sense of entitlement but not a record of service to the people of Nigeria.

“They cannot answer the questions to be asked tonight.

Durotoye in the other hand said “Atiku and Buhari’s absence means the future is here. “

He also connected their absence to pride, saying pride comes before a fall.

Also, Ezekwesili on her part said: “Atiku and Buhari have simply announced their exit from the governance of this country following their absence from the debate.”