The presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged his supporters to desist from attacking other candidates and opposition politicians through derogatory words.
Obi made this appeal via his official Twitter handle following his recent visit to Makurdi, Benue State.
The LP presidential candidate had in July made a former appeal to his supporters to refrain from attacking other candidates and political leaders as the 2023 presidential election approaches.
Apart from personal reasons other presidential aspirants may have to question Obi, his supporters, especially, those online have given him more cause to be cautious, as they are known to hurl insults at anybody who does not seem to be on the same page with them.
Obi recently expressed distaste over how one of his supporters called the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, a “deceit.”
Obi tweeted, “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,”
“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.”
He, therefore, urged his supporters to focus on running an issue-based campaign, and unite with everyone to build a better Nigeria.