2023: President Buhari urges issue-based campaigns | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
As political campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections kicked off on Wednesday, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged politicians to focus on issues in their campaigns devoid of personal attacks and incitements.
Buhari made the call in a video-message
to the signing of the 2023 election Peace Accord by presidential candidates of the various political parties organized by the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State General Abdussalam Abubakar held in Abuja.
”I appeal to the contestants, especially their publicity agents and media advisers to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, reject the spread of fake news, and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies,” Buhari said in the message.
The President lamented the “significant threat” the spread of fake news and misinformation poses to democracy in Nigeria.
According to the President, fake news and misinformation have shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to amplifying the potential for personal attacks, insults and incitements, which had significantly diminished the civility and decency in public discourse and debate.
Buhari reminded political actors that the 2023 election should not be seen as a routine political activity but rather an opportunity to serve Nigeria and uphold her unity and progress.
“Therefore, I call on all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims,” Buhari stressed.
