Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP),Peter Obi and the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, clashed yesterday evening during a Town Hall Meeting which is the first in the series that would be organised by Arise TV and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) to discuss security and economy.

The event witnessed protests from some youths who demanded that the presidential candidate they support must boycott it following the refusal of Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to appear for the programme.

However, after a long delay, the event started with Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in attendance.

After their citations were taken, the candidates were asked to answer the same question in turns which led to sharp disagreement between Obi and Okowa.

Responding to a question on what each candidate would do to confront banditry, Obi said, “I have met some of those criminals and I have said that the more you pull them out of poverty the more you remove them from criminality.”

He frowned on a situation where those in government are richer than entrepreneurs. He noted that the more government officials are richer than entrepreneurs, the more criminals will increase.

Referring to Anambra, Obi said, “I never borrowed for eight years, and I have not been invited by anyone to question me over anything.

“I never owed gratuity or pension. I left over N50bn for my state. I never borrowed but saved faithfully.”

However, Okowa wasted no time to take a swipe at Obi’s position saying there is too much scarcity of money hence no need to save but spend.

Okowa further hit at the Labour Party candidate when he tried to create an impression that his party was not rich but the Delta State Governor countered him saying it was all about pretense as he noted that “politics is money consuming”.

“I see you people flying about in a private jet. That is spending money. You need a lot of money to run the campaign and maintain your party structure. I think what is important is making judicious use of whatever money available to you as a political party”, Okowa spoke strongly.

Obi later responded to Okowa’s criticism saying when he was Anambra State governor, his administration emerged as a number “one in education, health,” some key areas in the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, arguing that “saving money is part of it.”

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*Kwankwaso hits Tinubu for non-appearance

Meanwhile, Rabiu Kwankwasu, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, has taken a dig at Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to show up at the ongoing presidential town hall organized by Arise TV and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Kwankwaso criticised Tinubu for failing to attend or send a representative to the event meant for presential candidates to share their ideas about security and the economy with Nigerians.

The NNPP candidate spoke against the backdrop of a mild drama that played out before the commencement of the meeting after some attendees kicked against Atiku’s representation by his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Taking a jibe at Tinubu, Kwankwaso said Atiku was better off having sent a representative than “a candidate” who didn’t show up at all or send representation.

Tinubu was meant to be among the four candidates to grace the first edition of the town hall but was replaced at the last minute with Kola Abiola, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate.

No explanation was given for the APC candidate’s absence.

It would be recalled that Kwankwaso had failed to attend a similar town hall meeting organized by the Arewa House which had Tinubu in attendance.

The live town hall with a focus on Security and the Economy was organized for presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso; Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Kola Abiola; and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who is being represented by his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

*Outrage as APC presidential candidate spotted in party, Keyamo defends absence

Tinubu’s absence at the town hall meeting has sparked outrage on social media after he was spotted at a birthday party held in the federal capital.

Tinubu was among four major presidential candidates earlier scheduled to attend the town hall organised by Arise TV and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) but was replaced after he failed to confirm his attendance or send a representative.

The town hall is being held at the congress hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

But while the meeting was ongoing, photos surfaced on social media showing the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate attending the 80th birthday celebration of Colonel Sani Bello (retd.) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja- which is eight minutes’ drive (4.7 km) to Transcorp Hotel.

The APC candidate’s action has drawn criticism from some Nigerians.

But reacting to the outrage in a statement issued late Sunday, the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation gave three reasons for its candidate’s refusal to honour his invitation to attend the town hall meeting.

Festus Keyamo, spokesman for the campaign said, “Firstly, many radios and TV networks in Nigeria have indicated interest to host such debates and out of deference to other TV and radio stations, our candidate will not be making selective appearances in some networks, whilst ignoring others. As President of Nigeria, by the Special Grace of God, he intends to treat all persons and businesses fairly and equally.

“Secondly, the busy and hectic campaign schedules of Asiwaju Tinubu will not permit him to honour all such invitations by different radio and TV networks, hence our decision for him not to start with one TV station and later ignore others.

“Thirdly, our candidate had long before now realised the importance of speaking directly to Nigerians and shortly after unfolding his Action Plan as President embarked on Town Hall meetings beginning with his interaction with the Business Community and other stakeholders in Kano followed by the Town Hall meeting and presentation by experts last week in Lagos. Tomorrow, he will be interacting with Agro and Commodity Groups in Minna, Niger State.”

Keyamo added, “Whilst we thank Arise TV for the invitation, we want to assure Nigerians that we shall continue to hold these debate groups and Nigerians in high esteem. Nigerians will hear from our candidates loud and clear through other forums.

“Lastly, out of profound respect for Nigerians, we urge all our party structures and supporters at the grassroots to continue to organise town hall meetings to educate Nigerians on the Action Plan of our candidate as we believe a grassroots approach to reach Nigerians will also be more profound.”