Jonathan, Buhari, Others to Participate UniAbuja Debate Wednesday

Jonathan and Buhari

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja
The Chairman, University of Abuja Presidential Debate Committee, Mr. Uwakwe Abugu, has promised that President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will grace the presidential debate being organised by the university tomorrow.

According to him, since none of the candidates had declined the invitations extended to them, it was assumed that they would be present at the event to showcase their manifestoes to the electorate.

He said the tomorrow’s presidential debate would present an opportunity for the candidates to educate Nigerians specifically on their parties’ manifestoes.

The Chairman of the debate committee who spoke in a radio programme monitored yesterday in Abuja, said different media houses wouldbe available to
monitor the debate which he said would be two dimensional.

Abugu said the purpose of the debate was not to put any of the candidates on the hot seat or set an examination for any of them, adding, “We just want them to come and educate Nigerians and for voters to know their programmes so that they can make informed choice.”

He said an uninformed voter is calamity to democracy. Therefore, they need to inform the voters so that they can make informed choice adding that certainly there will questions here and there, he said.

He advised the presidential candidates of all the registered parties to be at the University Centre, whether they will be participating in the debate or not, adding that their appearance alone signifies a vote for peace for Nigeria.

Attempts to confirm whether Buhari will be gracing the debate through Mallam Garba Shehu, his Media Director, were futile, as his phone was switched off.