Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to a national presidential debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said he would only participate in presidential debates if Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are also represented.
His position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo.
According to Okonkwo, presidential debates should provide a platform for candidates of the ruling and opposition parties to present their policies and programmers directly to Nigerians.
He criticised the practice of holding debates involving only opposition candidates, describing it as unacceptable.
The statement accused the APC-led administration of allegedly using such debates to create divisions among opposition parties while avoiding scrutiny from Nigerians.
“Political contest worldwide has always been between the ruling party and the opposition parties. Presidential debates worldwide have also been organised between the ruling party and the opposition,” the statement said.
Atiku said he would not participate in any debate format that pits opposition candidates against one another while excluding the ruling party.
According to his spokesperson, the former vice president is prepared to engage Nigerians through interviews, town hall meetings, press conferences and other platforms, but wants any national presidential debate to include Tinubu.
“HE Atiku Abubakar, therefore, challenges President Bola Tinubu to a national presidential debate,” the statement said.
It added that the debate would give the ruling party and opposition parties an opportunity to explain their policies and how they intend to implement them, allowing Nigerians to make an informed choice in the 2027 elections.
Atiku also described himself as the leader of the coalition of opposition parties and leaders and warned that the APC would face the opposition at the 2027 polls.
The challenge comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and the ruling APC positioning themselves for the contest.
