The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a national presidential debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, however, said his participation in presidential debates would be conditional on the attendance of Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his official spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo.
Atiku Wants Ruling Party Included
According to Okonkwo, presidential debates should provide Nigerians with an opportunity to hear directly from both the ruling party and opposition candidates about their policies, programmes and plans for the country.
He criticised the organisation of debates involving only opposition candidates, describing the practice as “untenable.”
Okonkwo accused the APC-led administration of using such debates to encourage divisions among opposition parties while avoiding direct scrutiny from the electorate.
He said political contests are fundamentally between the ruling party and opposition parties and argued that presidential debates should reflect that reality.
Atiku Sets Condition for Debate Participation
The former Vice President said he would not participate in any debate arrangement that brings opposition candidates together while excluding Tinubu and the APC.
According to Okonkwo, Atiku is prepared to engage Nigerians through interviews, town hall meetings, press conferences and other platforms, but wants a presidential debate that gives voters the opportunity to compare the ruling party’s record and the opposition’s alternative policies.
The statement said:
“HE Atiku Abubakar, therefore, challenges President Bola Tinubu to a national presidential debate which will provide an opportunity for both the ruling party and the opposition parties to address Nigerians on their policies and ways to achieve those policies so that Nigerians can make an informed choice for the 2027 elections.”
2027 Political Contest Intensifies
Atiku’s challenge adds another dimension to the growing political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The former Vice President has positioned himself as a leading figure within the opposition coalition and is seeking to present the ADC as an alternative to the ruling APC.
The demand for a direct debate also puts pressure on Tinubu and the APC to respond to the challenge and explain whether they would be willing to participate in a national presidential debate.
With economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, fuel prices and governance expected to dominate the 2027 campaign, debates could provide voters with an opportunity to compare the candidates’ proposed solutions before making their choice at the polls.
