Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s nominee for president, has warned his fans, known as “Obidients,” and candidates running for office at all levels to refrain from disparaging other people while running for office.
The LP candidate for governor in Benue had made an explicit reference to the word “deceit” used to describe Samuel Ortom, the governor of Benue State.
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Peter Obi, who issued the plea on Friday night via his Twitter account, advised his followers and LP candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns and refrain from using slurs and making disparaging remarks about other people.
He said;
Nigeria has very huge problems and is currently at the 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 other 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.
Peter Obi further stated that everyone had their flaws and shortcomings, himself included, while adding that Ortom has always been a patriotic Nigerian.
He tweeted;
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 short comings, I have mine, and so do others. But we should not refer to people in such derogatory manner.
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.
I wish all our candidates, including myself, well in the forthcoming elections
