Why We’re Boycotting Presidential Debate -APC …PDP Blasts Opposition On Claims

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will not be not be featuring in televised debates on national television and radio, being organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), because of the unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by some key organisers of the programme, against the political interest of the party (APC) and its candidates.
The Director Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), Garba Shehu, said in a press statement yesterday in Abuja that the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG)- powered debate was fraught with fundamental errors from the outset, by wearing the toga of government control, especially being composed mainly of agencies and allies of the incumbent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration.
“A cursory inspection of the composition of NEGD brings into focus the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), National Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Africa Independent Television (AIT, owned by a PDP chieftain).
“The avalanche of inflammatory statements, misinformation and blatant lies being propagated by some of these media against our party and candidates contrary to the Kofi Annan- brokered Abuja Peace Accord, and the failure of these aggressors to desist and apologise, have left the APC campaign with no option than to steer clear of any premeditated smear campaign that could be inimical to our prospective electoral success,” Shehu said.
The APCPCO spokesman further explained that the boycott by the APC should not be seen as disrespect to Nigerian voters, or an alibi for the party to dodge public scrutiny; but it must be viewed as an honourable right not to consent to any activity that could distract, demean, denigrate or derail the fast-moving train of the party.
“The APC is a party of progressive intellectuals, genuine technocrats, successful businessmen and women, and most of all eminent and courteous people of honour who would never condescend to the level of sadistic gutter propaganda, all in the name of political exigency and crass opportunism,” Shehu said.
In a reaction, the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, yesterday, took a swipe at the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Party (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his party for boycotting the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG).
Okupe said APC boycotted the debate to save Buhari from shame, as he does not have record of performance, education and eloquency needed for a debate to match President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He made this known on his twitter page. “If APC didn’t withdraw from the debate they would have been stupid. Their candidate has no record of performance. Neither is he educated nor eloquent”.

Cross section of permanent secretaries at 2015 New Year prayer/dedication service, at the state secretariat complex, Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Obinna Dele Prince