Nigerians have taken to social media to express disappointment over the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and his closest challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the 2019 presidentia debate.
Five candidates were expected to trade tackles at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Saturday, but only three – Prof Kingsley Moghalu of YPP; Fela Durotoye of ANN and Obiageli Ezekwesili of ACPN – participated.
While Atiku was at the venue of the debate, he left without participating after observing that Buhari did not show up.
Read Also: Why I Didn’t Attend Presidential Debate – Buhari
However, Nigerians have taken to social media to berate the duo for not participating in the debate.
Read comments monitored on Twitter:
Last night’s #2019debates was a case of two fathers whole stole their kids dinner and that of NEDG/BON -recruited-to prevent the kids from holding them to account. The thieving fathers @mbuhari and @Atiku went missing from the dinner table and NEDG/BON had eggs on their faces.
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 20, 2019
"Atiku and Buhari are not here because they want to come to power on the wings of entitlement without a record of performance…" #VoteKingsleyMoghalu #ItisTime #PresidentialDebate2019 #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate2019 #IAmVotingMoghalu
— Kingsley Moghalu (@MoghaluKingsley) January 19, 2019
In some countries, losing the debate could cost you the election, not to mention boycotting it. In Nigeria…Arsenal 2 Chelsea 0 FT #2019Debate
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) January 19, 2019
Nnamdi Ossai tweeted
Atiku's excuse for not debating is unacceptable, he lost an opportunity to sell himself.
If you want to make a presentation for a contract, you won't walk away because one of your competitors did not show up.#2019Debate
— Sola Salako Ajulo (@purrples) January 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/Rouvafe/status/1086696350320865280
This was the presidential debate in 2011. @MBuhari, @NuhuRibadu and Ibrahim Shekarau mounted the podium, GEJ of @OfficialPDPNig was absent, yet others didn't turn back. @atiku has failed Nigerians. @ogundamisi @toluogunlesi @Mr_JAGs @renoomokri pic.twitter.com/iyjXa5Wfky
— Tambari Joel (@tambari555) January 20, 2019
You can see @MoghaluKingsley debate ready yesterday. That's the code of conduct your @atiku and @MBuhari would never have in a thousand years. Thank you sir for making me proud as usual. pic.twitter.com/KjY7hPZfsC
— Roberts (@kugarts) January 20, 2019
The APC has played the same game since 2015.
Buhari won't do the most basic of things & they'll be silent. Then the day he finally does it, they'll celebrate it like a great achievement.
'Buhari stood upright'…….'Buhari appointed ministers'……'Buhari is campaigning'
— Gege (@nigeriasbest) January 20, 2019
I will get Nigeria working again said a man who thinks a presidential debate is a personal confrontation 😀 A man that has no respect for Nigeria, shouldn't be given an opportunity to lead. Take it or leave it #Atiku will be worse than #Buhari.
My vote is for #ObyEzekwesili
— gHost (@nwosuG5) January 20, 2019
Wait… if I get to a job interview and see that the other candidate has refused to show up, should I go back home or do my own interview and shine? 👀 asking for a ‘friend’ 🚶🏽♂️
— Frank Donga™ (@frankdonga_) January 19, 2019
When you (Atiku) see the lineup of your fellow candidates (Moghalu, Durotoye, Oby) and it is obvious will only end up being the punching bag and the only punching bag (Buhari) you can hit, has refused to show up, my brother, JAPA!
K'oju ma ri ibi, gbogbo ara loogun e! 😂😂😂 https://t.co/ca1fG9Vnhw
— Demola Of Lagos (@OmoGbajaBiamila) January 20, 2019
So many of u who support Atiku do not understand why we are angry. A vast majority of us have already ruled out Buhari. For us, d debate was about who to choose between the opposition parties. Ain't castigating Atiku but his team could have done better by humbly explaining to us.
— Albert Jr. Akpobowei (@Tamunoebi) January 20, 2019
Leave a Reply