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Why Tinubu may not attend any presidential debate – Keyamo

The spokesperson of the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Festus Keyamo has declared that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC, may not attend any presidential debates before February’s presidential election.

Tinubu yesterday did not attend the presidential debate organised by Arise Television and a civic group.

In his reaction to why the APC candidate was absent, Keyamo said Tinubu did not attend to avoid “selective appearance.”

Mr Keyamo, in the Sunday statement, explained that several television stations have indicated interest in hosting similar events. However, Tinubu has no plan to attend any but prefers to speak to Nigerians directly, he said.

“Firstly, many radio and TV networks in Nigeria have indicated interest to host such debates and out of deference to other TV and radio stations, our candidate will not be making selective appearances on some networks, whilst ignoring others,” he said.

Sunday’s debate, tagged Arise News presidential town hall series, was organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development and Arise Television.

Although the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar did not attend Sunday’s debate, he was represented by his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who disclosed that the former vice president was out of the country.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) attended the Sunday event in person.

Mr Keyamo, in the statement, said the candidate cannot afford to attend one debate while ignoring others.

He also claimed that the candidate has other engagements and so is unable to attend the debate series.

He added that the candidate will prefer speaking directly with voters through town hall meetings and campaign rallies.

Read the full statement by Mr Keyamo below:

The APC Presidential Candidate in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Election, ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU, did not attend the Presidential Debate organised by ARISE TV on Sunday, November 6, 2022, for the following reasons:

Firstly, many radio and TV networks in Nigeria have indicated interest to host such debates and out of deference to other TV and radio stations, our candidate will not be making selective appearances on 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

Tomorrow, 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.

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