Debate: Now, They Know I Wasn't Running Away From Debate - Jonathan

Source: THEWILL. - thewillnigeria.com
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN AT THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE HOSTED BY THE NEDG AT THE TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL IN ABUJA TODAY, MARCH 30, 2011.
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN AT THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE HOSTED BY THE NEDG AT THE TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL IN ABUJA TODAY, MARCH 30, 2011.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 30, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today stood alone on the podium to answer questions in a debate that was more like a question and answer session following the refusal of his rivals to attend the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) hosted event at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja.

His main opponents in the April 2011 Presidential election had pulled out of the debate citing the President’s refusal to attend an NN24 Presidential debate without apologies a few days ago.

The campaign organizations of Nuhu Ribadu (ACN); Ibrahim Shekarua (ANPP) and Muhammadu Buhari (CPC) said in a joint statement that it was also uncomfortable with the ‘romance’ between the PDP and the organizers of the debate.

Jonathan however took questions from the moderator Imoni Amarere at today’s debate for about an hour and spoke on his plans for the economy and Nigeria in general.

The president humourously told his listeners that at least they now know he wasn’t running away from a debate. He said he was told by his aides that there were over 20 invitations to participate in debates but said he was too preoccupied with the job of being President to participate. He added that he was also advised that the NN24 debate would not have the reach expected of a presidential debate.