Why I Shunned The Debate With Jonathan- Buhari

The Presidential candidate of All Progressives
Congress, Muhammadu has said, if he wins the
March 28 poll, he will ensure strict adherence to the
constitution, saying he is now “a converted
democrat”, Premium Times reports. Mr. Buhari
made the pledge while addressing a media parley in
Abuja today.
“I want to assure you that Nigerian constitution will
be adhered to,” he said. He reminded the audience
of the controversial Decree 4 promulgated in 1984
while he was military Head of State.
He said there will be no such controversy should he
win the presidential election.
“I cannot change the past but I can change the
present and future. Dictatorship goes with military
which made possible decree four.
“I am a former military leader. Note the emphasis
on former. But I am now a converted democrat.
“I give full assurances to Nigeria media will be free
under an APC government,” he said.
Asked if he was prepared to apologise for jailing
journalists as military ruler, the Director General of
Mr. Buhari’s campaign and Governor of River State,
Rotimi Amaechi, prevented the former general from
responding, saying “the general has said he could
not change the past”.
Mr. Buhari said he was not ready to participate in
the presidential debate with President Goodluck
Jonathan, standing for re-election as the candidate
of Peoples Democratic Party.
He argued that there is no basis for debate since
the record of the PDP and Mr. Jonathan in
government is public knowledge.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar attended the
media event.
Premium Times