Sowere challenges leading presidential candidates to a public debate on the issues affecting Nigeria

AFRICAN Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has thrown down a challenge to all the leading contenders in the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari daring them to face him in public political debate.

In February, Nigeria goes to the polls and the frontrunners in the presidential race include former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Mr Sowore who ran in 2019, is standing again this time too.

During a recent interview with Channels Television’s programme Politics Today, Mr Sowore challenged the candidates of the opposition parties to a debate to discuss ideas to move Nigeria forward. He added that he would particularly like to debate with Governor Obi, who appears to be competing with him for the youth vote

Mr Sowore added: “Bring me and Obi to discuss our ideas on your show, I guarantee that he would not come. I know the other two people will not show up. Tinubu and Atiku dare not show up. They should be afraid because anybody who has got no idea should be afraid.

When asked whether he is angry with Obi whose support base is mainly with youths, Mr Sowore, added:  “Was I angry about Peter Obi in 1992, 1993 when I fought the military? Peter Obi was not even known. Any campaign that is childish and that doesn’t address the issues is relevant but not important.”