Thread by @thecableng

LIVE: #Nigeria’s presidential candidates face off in debate | TheCable bit.ly/2REj7mM #2019Debate #2019Elections

This is TheCable's live coverage of the 2019 presidential debate organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and the Nigerian Election Debate Group (NEDG). thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate

The presidential candidates expected at the debate are Atiku Abubakar, Muhammadu Buhari, Oby Ezekwesili, Fela Durotoye and Kingsley Moghalu. thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate

The presidential debate is taking place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The candidates are expected to speak on the economy, electricity supply, job creation, health and security, among other issues. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

.@timidakolo sings the national anthem. thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate

Kingsley Moghalu, candidate of YPP giving his opening speech. #2019Debate

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar has just tweeted that he is present at the venue where the debate is taking place. thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate

.@feladurotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) is presently holding court, and selling himself to Nigerians. He says Nigeria is one of the "most blessed nations on earth", yet suffering from a dearth of good leadership. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

It's now the turn of Oby Ezekwesili, who starts by saying #Nigeria is in dire straits and needs to be rescued immediately. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

.@obyezeks: "We have no business being the poverty capital of the world, with the pattern of politics that we have, we will continue to fail as a nation. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

Following the conclusion of the opening remarks, the debate is now on a short break. #2019Debate

ATIKU SKIPS DEBATE 'AT THE LAST SECOND'
Mark Eddo, the moderator, just announced that: "Atiku did turn up. He was in the hall but at the last second, he decided not to appear." thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate

Giving her take on poverty alleviation through economic revival, @obyezeks says her plan is to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty. #2019Debate

.@MoghaluKingsley says his government will cut down the cost of recurrent expenditure by 50 percent within two years of his administration, if elected. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

.@feladurotoye: "I will be riding in a bus carrying ministers to the airport rather than having a 30 convoy vehicle as a president. #2019Debate

EZEKS NOT SURPRISED ABOUT BUTIKU NO-SHOW
.@obyezeks says she's not surprised that Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, and President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not at the debate. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

.@obyezeks: "They have simply announced their exit from the governance of this country," #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

On the absence of PDP and APC candidates, @feladurotoye says "the future is here. Old things have passed away. Pride always comes before a fall." #2019Debate

"I'm not surprised that the candidates of the @OfficialAPCNg and @OfficialPDPNig have turned their backs on Nigerians", says @MoghaluKingsley while he adds that their absence is rooted in arrogance. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

The debate is now on a second break. Upon resumption, the candidates will talk about improving #Nigeria's security. #2019Debate

Speaking on steps towards curbing insurgency, Ezekwesili says the first thing is to send a sharp message that a new "Sheriff is in town".
@obyezeks says she will set up a SWAT team that will respond to security challenges swiftly. #2019Debate

Durotoye says his administration will integrate values in curriculum of schools. He says the right skills needed in the labour market are not being taught in schools. #2019Debate

8-year-old Emmanuella, a YouTube creator asks the candidates what they will do differently in the education sector if elected. #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate

MOGHALU: I WILL END ASUU STRIKES
The YPP candidate has vowed to end ASUU strikes in #Nigeria and improve infrastructure in the education sector if elected president. thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #ASUUStrike #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate

.@feladurotoye says he will introduce a free transport system for students. He says we will "fix education to make sure that we are back to the point where everyone who goes through a public school is prepared for success in life". #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate

MOGHALU: I'LL MAKE SEC SCHOOL EDUCATION FREE
@MoghaluKingsley promises to make secondary school education free in Nigeria if elected, noting that "we will invest very heavily in the public school system". thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate

.@feladurotoye: "Everyone above the age of 60 will get free health care and those below five, including pregnant women," #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

.@obyezeks: "50 percent of my cabinet will be made up of young people. #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate

The former minister says a way to curb corruption is to bring reform to institutions. "Deregulation in petroleum sector will end humongous corruption in that sector," #2019Debate

.@MoghaluKingsley says: "Access to (free) education is the first thing that will empower the girl child. Secondly, we will make sure that young women are protected in their marriages." #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

Giving his pitch on the subject matter, Durotoye spoke in a similar vein as Moghalu, and adds: "We will ensure that we make girl child education very important, and in the north, we will secure them." #2019Debate

According to @obyezeks, "a nation that educates the girl child has a faster track to progress and development". She adds that her presidency will give incentives to families to send girls to schools. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

The three presidential candidates have been asked to give their final statements. #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate2019

MOGHALU: IT'S TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW
"It is time for something new, something different and something bold. The future will be shaped by Google and Alphabet, by artificial intelligence. The future will not be shaped by recycled politicians. It is time for something new"

DUROTOYE: POWER WILL SHIFT
@feladurotoye says power will shift after the upcoming elections. #2019Debate thecable.ng/live-nigerias-…

EZEKWESILI: USE YOUR VOTES WELL
"My running for president is not to be called Madam President. I have spoken to you not as one theorising but as one who truly cares," says @obyezeks. #2019Debate

The debate is over and the spotlight is now on @timidakolo as he belts out the timeless 'One Nation'.
The presidential candidates hold hands as Dakolo sings. #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate #2019Elections

As the three candidates are being presented their certificates of participation, we will at this point draw the curtain on TheCable's liveblog of the presidential debate. thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate #PresidentialDebate2019 #2019Elections

Good night, dear readers. #Nigeria will be great again. thecable.ng/live-nigerias-… #2019Debate #2019Elections #PresidentialDebate2019 #NigeriaDecides2019