JUST IN: Atiku Walks Out On Presidential Debate After Buhari’s Absence

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), has finally decided to boycott the flagship
2019 presidential debate.

Atiku said he was boycotting the debate due to the absence of
the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari.

“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,” Atiku
said via Twitter.

“Afterall, you cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. I do
not believe in attacking a man who is NOT here to defend
himself.”

While the first three candidates are currently participating in
the debate, the latter two are conspicuously missing.

Buhari did not attend outright, but our reporter spotted Atiku
at the venue and subsequently inside it.

However, a note was passed on to the moderator just as he was
about to be introduced; the moderator therefore moved on to
introduce Moghalu of YPP.

Atiku stayed in the audience for a while, but our reporter saw
him leave at exactly 7:20pm.

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.
#2019Debate pic.twitter.com/crperoO3tT^[1][2]

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) January
19, 2019^[3]