British foremost economic and policy think tank, Chatham House has blasted the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Ahmed Tinubu, stating that candidates are to answer questions themselves to be held to account.
Newsonline reports that Chatham House said Tinubu’s decision to delegate questions he was meant to answer himself to others in his team was not the norm of the policy think tank.
Recall that the former Lagos State governor and one of the major contenders for the 2023 election was at Chathan House of Monday to address the policy body and answer questions relating to how he would solve Nigeria’s economic, security, poverty and unemployment problems.
However, the APC presidential candidate after reading his speech went and sat down. At the time the think tank body’s moderator was to ask Tinubu questions, he declined and directed all questions to some members of his team.
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu told the Chatham House moderator of the session that Dele Alake, his campaign spokesman will answer questions on oil theft; Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, will answer questions of security; Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River will answer questions on youth development and inclusion.
Also, a former commissioner of finance in Lagos, Wale Edun, was asked to answer the question on job creation; Femi Gbajabiamila, Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives answered a question on national defence while incumbent Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu took the question on youth inclusion in politics and governance.
Chatham House Chairman, Robin Niblett said the decision of Tinubu to delegate questions he was to answer himself was not the norm.
Robin Niblett added that the APC presidential candidate did not notify Chatham House in advance that he would be delegating questions.
He added that the principle of the policy think tank body is that candidates will answer questions themselves to be held accountable when they enter office.
“Yesterday’s event was not the norm and our Chair was not notified in advance that Mr Tinubu would be delegating questions.
“The principle of Chatham House events is to be able to hear the views of invited speakers and also to hold those speakers to account,” Peoples Gazette quoted a spokesperson for Chatham House.
