Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to take part in a national presidential debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made the demand through his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying he would only participate in a presidential debate if Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress also take part.
The ADC candidate argued that presidential debates should give Nigerians an opportunity to hear directly from candidates of both the ruling party and opposition parties about their plans for the country.
He criticised debates that involve only opposition candidates, saying such arrangements prevent Nigerians from properly assessing the government seeking another term in office.
Atiku’s campaign team said the former vice president would remain available for other forms of engagement with Nigerians, including interviews, town hall meetings and press conferences.
However, it said he would not participate in a debate format that brings opposition candidates together without the participation of the ruling party.
According to the statement, Atiku believes the 2027 election should allow Nigerians to compare the policies, programmes and records of the government and opposition candidates before deciding who to support.
The former vice president therefore called on Tinubu to accept a national debate where both men could present their positions on major national issues and explain how they intend to address the country’s challenges.
The call comes as political activities gather pace ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku emerging as one of the major opposition figures preparing to challenge the APC for control of the Federal Government.
Atiku has also continued to engage Nigerians through different political and public platforms as the opposition builds its campaign ahead of the election.
The proposed debate, if accepted, would provide an opportunity for voters to hear directly from the leading presidential contenders and compare their plans for Nigeria.
The ADC candidate maintained that Nigerians deserve a direct discussion on the country’s future and should be able to make their choice after hearing the candidates explain their policies and proposed solutions.