2023: Why Tinubu Was Absent At Arise TV Town Hall Meeting – APC

The Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council has explained why Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, foremost Presidential Candidate in the country and national leader of the All Progressives Congress, was absent at the Townhall meeting for presidential candidates in the country.

The campaign council listed rigorous electioneering schedules and the uncompromising decision not to give any Television station preference among others as reasons as some of the reasons.

Recall the Theliberationnews reported that the event was organised by Arise News and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with Vanguard Newspapers, Premium Times, Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, and Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ for the front runners in the presidential race to present and defend their plans before Nigerian.

As expected, Tinubu, his challengers from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) were invited for the first series but only Tinubu was conspicuously absent and did not send a representative giving room for the inclusion of Kola Abiola, the candidate of People’s Redemption Party (PRP).

Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP were there in person as well as Chief Kola Abiola of the PRP but Atiku Abubakar sent his running mate, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to represent him.

Defending Tinubu’s sheer absence, the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement by its Chief Spokesman, Mr.Festus Keyamo, said “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 interest 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 (Monday), 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.”