Why Peter Obi can no longer attend presidential debates – Campaign Advice
The Labor Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) says its candidate, Peter Obi, will no longer attend debates where other candidates are not present.
CPC Director General Doyin Okupe said this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
He said the absence of presidential candidates from the debates has become a growing trend in the 2023 election campaign.
Presidential candidates from four of the 18 registered political parties on Sunday appeared at a town hall meeting to engage with citizens.
The candidates present at the event organized by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Arise Television were Mr. Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) ).
Also present was the PDP vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who represented Atiku Abubakar, while Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was absent.
"Let us be clear today that these recurring acts will no longer be acceptable for the organization of the Labor Party's presidential campaign," Mr. Okupe said.
While our candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and the running mate, Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, stand ready at all times to engage other candidates and the Nigerian people in any duly scheduled debate , public meeting and any other designated and planned appearance.
"This election season, they will only be ready to step onto the podium with their peers in this presidential race, not with substitutes or diversionary delegated representation.
"This position is taken with the utmost respect for the rights and desires of Nigerians to full and direct information, and first-hand answers and presentations necessary for the best assessment of the worth, ability, ability, competence, character, integrity and disposition, as required to make the right choice in these upcoming elections.”
The CCP CEO recounted that on Monday, August 22, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) invited leading presidential candidates to address its annual bar conference and the Nigerian people on this occasion epic.
He again said that on September 13-14, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry invited presidential candidates from major parties to interact with them and the Nigerian people.
He said the event was an opportunity for them to unveil their economic and general policy initiatives ahead of the presidential election.
He said, however, that while Mr. Obi and other invited candidates were appearing in person, the APC presidential candidate had sent his running mate to represent him.
"Yet again, yesterday November 6, at AriseTV's first public meeting, in contradiction to the agreement reached with the organizers only allowing presidential candidates to attend the event.
“The PDP vice-presidential candidate was allowed to represent the presidential candidate,” he said.
Mr. Okupe said this sparked a protest and a rowdy situation from supporters of the other presidential candidates present.
"Obi and the Presidential Campaign Organization totally condemn this disregard for the electorate and the people, by these absentee presidential candidates.
"The decision to run for president does not begin or end with purchasing, submitting forms, and being certified as a candidate by INEC.
“It also presages the candidate a high degree of responsibility to come forward for open discussion and explanation of their policies, visions and plans to the people to enable better understanding and engender appropriate choice by the electorate. in the upcoming election.
READ ALSO:“Anything short of a straightforward, transparent, and honest adherence to this basic accountability contract falls short of fair standards of competition and engagement. This could only be interpreted as a malicious evasion of the desired interface with people. »
He said it was totally reprehensible and inconceivable for any presidential candidate to think he is doing a service to the voting public and all Nigerians by running in person.
Mr. Okupe said that Mr. Obi wa...
The Labor Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) says its candidate, Peter Obi, will no longer attend debates where other candidates are not present.
CPC Director General Doyin Okupe said this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
He said the absence of presidential candidates from the debates has become a growing trend in the 2023 election campaign.
Presidential candidates from four of the 18 registered political parties on Sunday appeared at a town hall meeting to engage with citizens.
The candidates present at the event organized by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Arise Television were Mr. Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) ).
Also present was the PDP vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, who represented Atiku Abubakar, while Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was absent.
"Let us be clear today that these recurring acts will no longer be acceptable for the organization of the Labor Party's presidential campaign," Mr. Okupe said.
While our candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and the running mate, Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, stand ready at all times to engage other candidates and the Nigerian people in any duly scheduled debate , public meeting and any other designated and planned appearance.
"This election season, they will only be ready to step onto the podium with their peers in this presidential race, not with substitutes or diversionary delegated representation.
"This position is taken with the utmost respect for the rights and desires of Nigerians to full and direct information, and first-hand answers and presentations necessary for the best assessment of the worth, ability, ability, competence, character, integrity and disposition, as required to make the right choice in these upcoming elections.”
The CCP CEO recounted that on Monday, August 22, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) invited leading presidential candidates to address its annual bar conference and the Nigerian people on this occasion epic.
He again said that on September 13-14, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry invited presidential candidates from major parties to interact with them and the Nigerian people.
He said the event was an opportunity for them to unveil their economic and general policy initiatives ahead of the presidential election.
He said, however, that while Mr. Obi and other invited candidates were appearing in person, the APC presidential candidate had sent his running mate to represent him.
"Yet again, yesterday November 6, at AriseTV's first public meeting, in contradiction to the agreement reached with the organizers only allowing presidential candidates to attend the event.
“The PDP vice-presidential candidate was allowed to represent the presidential candidate,” he said.
Mr. Okupe said this sparked a protest and a rowdy situation from supporters of the other presidential candidates present.
"Obi and the Presidential Campaign Organization totally condemn this disregard for the electorate and the people, by these absentee presidential candidates.
"The decision to run for president does not begin or end with purchasing, submitting forms, and being certified as a candidate by INEC.
“It also presages the candidate a high degree of responsibility to come forward for open discussion and explanation of their policies, visions and plans to the people to enable better understanding and engender appropriate choice by the electorate. in the upcoming election.
READ ALSO:“Anything short of a straightforward, transparent, and honest adherence to this basic accountability contract falls short of fair standards of competition and engagement. This could only be interpreted as a malicious evasion of the desired interface with people. »
He said it was totally reprehensible and inconceivable for any presidential candidate to think he is doing a service to the voting public and all Nigerians by running in person.
Mr. Okupe said that Mr. Obi wa...
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