Debate: Jonathan appears today…urges Buhari, Shekarau, Ribadu to attend
BY DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA -THE Presidency has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is ready to avail himself of the invitation extended to him by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group to participate in the Presidential Debate to be held tonight.
The President has therefore appealed to his opponents who were also invited but turned down the offer to review their earlier decision and attend the debate.
*President Jonathan
Following the inability of the President to attend an earlier debate, his opponents who showed up for the exercise have resolved to boycott the second debate in protest.
Those who participated in the first debate are the presidential candidates of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, that of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and their All Nigeria People Party, ANPP, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau.
However, in a statement by Mr Ima Niboro, Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, the President appealed to the trio to have a change of mind, and attend.
“While the President hopes that the other invited presidential candidates will review their announced decision not to participate in the debate and deny millions of Nigerians of a great opportunity to critically assess their contending platforms and policy options, his attendance is not contingent on their doing so”, the statement said.
*Ribadu, Buhari and Shekarau
According to the statement, “in keeping with his declared commitment, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will honour the invitation extended to him by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group to participate in the Presidential Debate scheduled for tomorrow (today), Wednesday, March 30, 2011″.
“President Jonathan looks forward to availing himself of the fresh opportunity of the debate to further present his strong case for re-election to the widest possible audience of Nigerians on radio and television”, it added.
