The Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Council has explained why its Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, Shunned the well promoted ARISE TV Debate.
The APC candidate, as has been the case with all public appearances where he and other Presidential candidates were invited and expected to be present, was conspicuously absent. He sent no representative either.
Before now, Tinubu had come under fire which bordered, atimes, on mockery for his absence at such events. Some have attributed it to his alleged ill-health, while others allege he is suffering from early stages of dementia and had no grasp of facts. All these, of course, without any medical confirmation. Tinubu insists he is 100 per cent alert and healthy with capacity to occupy the office of the President.
A statement put out Sunday evening, and signed by Festus Keyamo, SAN, Director, Public Affairs of the
APC Presidential Candidate, in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Election, gave reasons why Tinubu was absent at the Presidential Debate organised by ARISE TV on Sunday, November 6, 2022.
Following are the reasons adduced by Keyamo.
“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.
“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.”
However, not a few Nigerians, infuriated with his absence and his reasons, asked him to stop insulting Nigerians, and tell his story to the birds.
