The APC Presidential Campaign Council has explained why its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, failed to attend the Town Hall meeting for presidential candidates.
The Herald can report that the Sunday meeting in Abuja was jointly organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Arise Television.
Presidential candidates of Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Mr Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Mr Kola Abiola respectively attended the town hall meeting.
Tinubu and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar failed to show up, although the latter was represented by his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
In a statement, Official Spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo SAN explained why the party’s flagbearer failed to show up to the meeting.
“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 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,” the statement read.