Essential Ndubuisi
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa have shunned the ‘The Candidates’ Presidential Town Hall Series, The Nation has learnt.
The duo was scheduled to appear on Tuesday evening for the two-hour live televised town hall meeting.
They were expected to answer questions on governance and nation-building with a popular broadcast journalist, Kadaria Ahmed.
The town hall series commenced on November 17 and has featured some presidential candidates including Peter Obi and running mate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed; Omoyele Sowore and running mate, Barrister Haruna Garba Magashi; Prince Adewole Adebayo and running mate, Yusuf Buhari; and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and running mate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa.
The town hall, according to the organisers was a departure from the debate format traditionally associated with the presidential elections.
Confirming Atiku/Okowa’s absence, NTA on its verified Twitter handle said: “Due to unavoidable conflicts, Alh. Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party, will not be participating in The Candidates Presidential Town Hall Series. #NGTheCandidates #TheCandidates”
