In order not to be seen as attempting to dabble on the intelligence of all Nigerians, one is of the strong contention, that moves by the presidential flagbearer of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari to boycott the presidential debate organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) should be shelved.
The reason is so that Nigerians would not be denied the opportunity to hear from the presidential contenders what plans they have for this country if eventually voted.
The excuse that he alongside his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo are pulling out of the event because of what they termed the unhidden bias and campaign of calumny by key organisers of the programme, against the corporate political interest of the APC may not be tenable.
What should be important to the duo of Buhari and Osinbajo is the interest of Nigerians and not their own interest.
Specifically, APC campaign organisation in a statement signed by its Director Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, argued that the Nigeria Election Debate Group -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’s administration.
The statement reads in part: "A salutary inspection of the composition of NEGD brings into focus the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, National Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Africa Independent Television (owned by a PDP chieftain).
"And going by the avalanche of inflammatory statements, misinformation and blatant lies being propagated by some of these media against our Party and candidates contrary to the Koffi 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."
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