20110318
reuters

ABUJA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A debate for presidential candidates in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, kicked off on Friday in Abuja, the country's capital city to steer this year's general elections issues on public policy and good governance.

The presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN) Nuhu Ribadu, the former military ruler Muhammed Buhari, the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate Ibrahim Shekarau are present at the debate with incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, the candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party ( PDP), being absent.

The presidential debate held this evening in Abuja is being packaged by NN24, a privately owned television station.

The organization last Friday held the vice presidential debate which was attended by Fola Adeola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Tunde Bakare of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and John Odigie-Oyegun of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Vice President Nanamadi Sambo, who is also the running mate of President Jonathan, stayed away from the event.