The presidential contest ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election is already generating fresh political tension, with African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar insisting that President Bola Tinubu must participate in any presidential debate he attends.
Atiku’s position was made public on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, who criticised the current format of debates involving mainly opposition candidates.
Okonkwo argued that presidential debates should give Nigerians an opportunity to compare the ruling party’s record with the policies and proposals of opposition candidates.
He described debates that exclude the incumbent president as unfair, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of avoiding direct scrutiny.
According to him, allowing opposition candidates to debate among themselves while the ruling party stays away could shift attention away from the government’s performance.
He said Atiku would therefore not participate in any presidential debate unless Tinubu and the APC were also represented.
Okonkwo stated that Atiku, as a leading figure in the opposition coalition, had made the participation of Tinubu and the APC a condition for appearing at such debates.
However, he clarified that Atiku remained willing to engage Nigerians through other platforms, including interviews, town hall meetings, press conferences and public discussions.
The ADC candidate has also challenged Tinubu to a direct national presidential debate, saying such an encounter would allow both sides to explain their policies, defend their records and present their plans for the country.
Atiku’s demand comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election intensify, with economic reforms, fuel subsidy policy and the performance of the Tinubu administration already emerging as major campaign issues.
Whether Tinubu and the APC will accept Atiku’s challenge remains to be seen as the election season gathers momentum.
