Atiku speaks: Why I stormed out of presidential debate

LAGOS, Nigeria – Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has proffered reasons why he has to leave the Nicon Hilton Hotel, venue of the Presidential debate in Abuja.

He said he has to leave due to the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari from the debate.

See his statement below:

I arrived the Congress Hall of the Hilton venue of the #2019Debate. This debate and the election is a referendum on the incumbent.

We came here for a Presidential debate, not a candidacy debate, and I, Atiku Abubakar cannot challenge or question an administration where the man at the helm of the affairs of the nation is not present to defend himself or his policies.

With respect to my fellow candidates, Fela Durotoye, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu & to moderator Mark Sugar & with apologies to Nigerians here & at home expecting an interesting debate, I regret I will not be able to go on with this debate due to President Buhari’s absence.

I however challenge President Buhari to choose a date and time for a debate where he will be present and I will be there, hopefully with the other candidates as well.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Atiku Abubakar