Atiku sought permission to be absent — Okowa

The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, obtained permission from the organiser’s of the debate to be absence from the session.

Speaking on behalf of Atiku, at the Arise TV Town Hall meeting on Sunday night, Okowa said the presidential candidate will be present at the debate, saying the event today is a tmeeting not a debate.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that drama ensued at the location as some Nigerians who attended the meeting demanded only presidential candidates to speak, saying Okowa would be refused to participate.

After calm was restored and the presidential debate started 45mins after it was scheduled to start, Okowa said, “Atiku Abubakar duly obtained permission from the organisers of the town hall meeting for him to be represented and that permission was duly given. Atiku Abubakar is outside the country and he has asked me to represent him.

“I think that answers the question to earlier concerns raised. This is just a town hall meeting not the actual debate.”

 

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