Reasons Tinubu Won’t Attend Any Presidential Debate – Keyamo

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, and Senator Kashim Shettima, his running mate, excused their absence from Sunday’s town hall meeting of presidential candidates in Abuja by citing their busy campaign schedules and their decision not to favor any television station.

Three presidential candidates attended the meeting: Chief Kola Abiola of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP).

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate who is now abroad, was represented by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who is Atiku’s running mate.

Peter Obi lambasted the APC flag-bearer for missing the event and declared he would no longer attend future gatherings when candidates are represented by proxies or surrogates as Tinubu spoke.

Furthermore, Tinubu and Shettima were criticized by the PDP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), who claimed that they skipped the town hall because they were intimidated by Nigerians.

what caused Tinubu’s absence

In a statement released by its Chief Spokesman, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council provided an explanation for Tinubu’s absence. It stated: “Tinubu did not attend the Presidential Debate organized by ARISE TV on Sunday, November 6, 2022, for the following reasons:

“Firstly, many radio and TV networks in Nigeria have indicated interests to host such debates and out of deference to other TV and radio stations, our candidate will not be making selective appearances in some networks, whilst ignoring others. As President of Nigeria, by the special Grace of God, he intends to treat all persons and businesses fairly and equally.

“Secondly, the busy and hectic campaign schedules of Asiwaju Tinubu will not permit him to honour all such invitations by different radio and TV networks, hence our decision for him not to start with one TV station and later ignore others.

“Thirdly, our candidate had long before now realised the importance of speaking directly to Nigerians and shortly after unfolding his Action Plan as President embarked on town hall meetings, beginning with his interaction with the Business Community and other stakeholders in Kano followed by the town hall meeting and presentation by experts last week in Lagos. Next, he will be interacting with Agro and Commodity Groups in Minna, Niger State.

“Whilst we thank Arise TV for the invitation, we want to assure Nigerians that we shall continue to hold these debate groups and Nigerians in high esteem. Nigerians will hear from our candidate loud and clear through other forums.

“Lastly, out of profound respect for Nigerians, we urge all our party structures and supporters at the grassroots to continue to organise town hall meetings to educate Nigerians on the Action Plan of our candidate as we believe a grassroots-approach to reach Nigerians will also be more profound.”