Buhari’s Absence At The Debate Expected By Bolaji Akinyemi
Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi said “in the course of seeking the emancipation of the Nigeria nation through the platform of Project Victory Call Initiative, aka PVC-NAIJA , I have come across some passionate patriot, home and in diaspora who will settle for nothing less than constitutional democracy. One of such persons I met at the International Coalition Of Christians Group For Good Governance, championed by Engr. Daniel Kadzai, the immediate past President of Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria, is Prof Adeniyi Ojitiku, CEO and co-founder Liftupnow USA. I have seen meeting him kept the relationship flowing. This soft spoken, very unassuming think tank in global political dynamics saw me online midnight and Thursday 17th January 2019, and gave me a call. We spoke extensively about our common interest; Nigeria and dove tail on the opportunity of the trip of the Presidential candidate of People Democratic Party who was then on the historic yet controversial visit to the USA. He stated the need for Atiku not to cut off his visit abruptly because of the debate, because he was sure Buhari will NEVER show up for the debate. I insisted on the need for Atiku to return for the debate, but it must be a PRESIDENTIAL debate, dignified by the presence of the President, who is the President in the presidential. Anything short of that, Atiku should take a walk. We debated the issue for a while before Professor Adeniyi Ojutiku agreed to my position, but not without a very strong submission that President Mohammadu Buhari will never show up for the debate. In his word “I challenge you and everyone to please confirm this with Lai Mohammed. In 2015, before the Presidential Elections, I had approached the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) both highly respected Organizations based in Washington DC, USA whose main goal is to assist to establish and sustain Democracy around the world. Both Organizations agreed to assist Nigeria to set up a Presidential debate between President Dr Goodluck Jonathan and the challenger General Muhammadu Buhari. I immediately called up the two campaign Organizations to start the process for a Presidential debate by NDI and IRI. Because of my long standing relationship with Lai Mohammed and Dr Doyin Okupe, I unhesitatingly called them up to share the proposal.
While the response from the Jonathan campaign was highly positive, to my shock and utter disappointed, the Buhari Campaign, through Lai Mohammed told me bluntly and adamantly that Buhari would never engage in any Presidential debate. …. And that was exactly what happened.
My question is, in 2015 a healthy Buhari refused to engage in a Presidential debate, what makes any right thinking individual believe that an incoherent, sick of dementia President Buhari would present himself for a live and public open Presidential debate?
As far as I am concerned, there is no need for Atiku to cut off his ongoing robust engagement with interest groups in America because of a debate Buhari will never honoured.
The script of excuse presented for his absence at the debate, were not after thought, it is not only lame but also highly deceptive.
When will the Buhari people start being open and straight with Nigerians?
Dr. AKINYEMI IS THE PRESIDENT OF PROJECT VICTORY CALL INITIATIVE, ALSO KNOWN AS PVC-NAIJA
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