The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has asked the candidates, his supporters and the members of LP to desist from name-calling in the buildup to the 2023 general election.
Obi in a tweet-thread on Friday night urged the party members, especially the candidates to avoid “derogating anyone, groups of persons or religions,” stressing that they most maintain an issue-based campaign.
Obi made the call following the unsavoury remark of the party’s governorship candidate in Benue State, Herman Hembe, about the state governor, Samuel Ortom.
“I call on the Labour Party Faithfuls, especially candidates at all levels, including my supporters, to desist from name calling or derogating anyone, groups of persons or religions,” Obi said.
“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, remain 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.”
