Pandemonium At Arise TV Debate As Crowd Force Okowa Out Following Dino’s Comment On Atiku

– Kwankaso Knocks Tinubu Over Absence

There was a commotion on Sunday night at the presidential debate organised by Arise TV over the absence of Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Bell News reports that the Spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organization, Senator Dino Melaye, who was present at the presidential town-hall series, had said his principal “is too big to come for debate”. The audience got agitated, asking Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Atiku’s running mate who was at the event to represent the former Vice-President, to “step down”.

According to them, only presidential candidates are allowed, as they won’t welcome representatives.

Aside from Atiku, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was also absent. His running mate, Kashim Shettima was also not present.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, was however present.

Meanwhile, Rabiu Kwankwasu, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, has taken a dig at Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to show up at the ongoing presidential town hall organized by Arise TV and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Kwankwaso criticized Tinubu for failing to attend or send a representative to the event meant for presential candidates to share their ideas about security and the economy with Nigerians.

The NNPP candidate spoke against the backdrop of a mild drama that played out before the commencement of the meeting after some attendees kicked against Atiku’s representation by his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Taking a jibe at Tinubu, Kwankwaso said Atiku was better off having sent a representative than “a candidate” who didn’t show at all or send representation.

Tinubu was meant to be among the four candidates to grace the first edition of the town hall but was replaced at the last minute with Kola Abiola, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate.

No explanation was given for the APC candidate’s absence.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso had failed to attend a similar town hall meeting organized by the Arewa House which had Tinubu in attendance.

The live town hall with a focus on Security and the Economy was organized for presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso; Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Kola Abiola; and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who is being represented by his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.