A professor of political economy, Pat Utomi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to face his rivals in a live debate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Utomi threw the challenge on Thursday while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time.
He said the President would be dishonest if he could not confidently stand side by side with major contenders and engage in a debate.
“If you cannot stand side by side with somebody contesting for the same position and engage in policy discussions, then you are being totally dishonest to the people you are offering to serve.
“If President Tinubu cares about the Nigerian people, he should stand in every state capital and some rural areas and shake hands with the people.
“The President should stand side by side with major contenders and debate. That is how democracy works.
“We’ve talked a lot about South Korea and how its democracy was rescued.
“The electoral commission of South Korea advised its Nigerian counterparts when Professor Attahiru Jega led them on a visit years ago that they rescued South Korea by ensuring that debates took place on the streets, in school halls, on television and everywhere.
“I feel so bad personally, given the struggle I have put into this home-building project in Nigeria, to watch our democracy deteriorate to the point where we spend most of our time nursing our leaders, and they can give all kinds of excuses rather than accept that they are not well,” he said.
2027: You’re dishonest if you can’t face rivals in debate – Utomi to Tinubu