A group, Wind of Hope, has offered the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a fresh platform to debate with President Goodluck Jonathan of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the political situation in the country, at Chatham House, London, United Kingdom. In an open letter of invitation to Buhari by its National Coordinator, Onoriode Akpe, the group noted that the general’s performance in the speech he delivered in London shows that he is more comfortable in London, hence, the need to take the debate to London where the two gladiators can square it out in a debate.
“We wish to congratulate you on your recent visit to the United Kingdom where you delivered a speech at Chatham House, London on February 26, 2015. Your speech at the event is clearly a source of motivation for your supporters who in recent times seem to have lost steam in their aggressive marketing of your candidacy for the office of President,” the group said.
The Wind of Hope said that with his speech, Buhari may have acknowledged the achievements of the Jonathan administration, but that notwithstanding, there was need for the two of them to debate in front of the generality of Nigerians in order for the people to know the stuff both candidates are made of.
“In our quest to deepen democracy which thrives on robust and constructive deliberations that aid the electorate in making informed decisions, Wind of Hope hereby challenges or offers you a platform to debate with the incumbent, President Jonathan, before the forthcoming elections, at Chatham House, where you were so obviously at ease before your supporters and the international media.”
The group offered to “fully sponsor” such a forum, adding that “all we ask is that you state your preferred date and time. Again, we wish to reiterate the import of such a debate in this election which you appropriately described as ‘Nigeria’s landmark election’ in your speech at Chatham House.”