Embrace Issue-Based Campaigns; Eschew Name Calling, Obi Tells Nigerians

By Adadainfo

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has advised his supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to embrace issue-based campaigns rather than name-calling ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Obi stated this via his Twitter handle. He was reacting to a hate speech against Benue governor Samuel Ortom by a Benue politician. Obi condemned the statement, and urged Nigerians to focus on proffering solutions to Nigeria’s sinking economy.

Quoting him, “I call on the Labour Party faithful, especially candidates at all levels, including my supporters, to desist from name calling or derogating anyone, groups of persons or religions.

“Nigeria has very huge problems and is currently at risk of implosion from economic hardship and insecurity. The focus, therefore, should be on how to deal with deleterious consequences of a tanking economy, pervasive insecurity, and the many challenges that the nation is contending with, rather than degenerating into name calling.

“Specifically, during our recent campaign in Benue, a candidate referred to the governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, as a ‘deceit’. That is totally unacceptable to us.

“The governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, remains a very patriotic Nigerian, who has always spoken for the best interest of his people and Nigeria in general.

“We all have our shortcomings. I have mine, and so do others. But, we should not refer to people in such derogatory manner.

“We must continue to focus on running an issue-based campaign, and unite with everyone to build a new and better Nigeria.

“I wish all our candidates, including myself, well in the forthcoming elections.”