Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, have cited hectic campaign schedules and a refusal to give any television station preference, among other reasons, for their absence from Sunday’s town hall meeting of presidential candidates in Abuja.
Arise Television and the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, organized the event in collaboration with Vanguard Newspapers, Premium Times, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.
The meeting was attended by three presidential candidates: Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party, and Chief Kola Abiola of the People’s Redemption Party.
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The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, was represented by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the running mate of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is currently abroad of the country.
Peter Obi, the APC flagbearer, blasted Tinubu’s absence, saying he will not attend future gatherings if candidates are represented by proxies or surrogates.
The PDP Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, also chastised Tinubu and Shettima for failing to attend the town hall gathering because they were terrified of facing Nigerians.
The Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement issued by its Chief Spokesman, Mr. Festus Keyamo, explained Tinubu’s absence as follows: “Tinubu did not attend the Presidential Debate organized by ARISE TV on Sunday, November 6, 2022, for the following reasons:
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“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.
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“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.”
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