| The Daily Crucible | Saturday, November 12, 2022
Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has advised the ‘Obidients,’ and candidates of the party at all levels, to refrain deploying derogatory words and terms in their campaigns.
Obi said that insulting candidates of other political parties or any individuals is not what a nation grappling with a tanking economy, insecurity and other pressing issues needs now.
The presidential candidate was apparently referring to a comment credited to the LP governorship candidate in Benue State, describing the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, as a “deceit.”
This is coming barely 36 hours after governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State wrote off Obi’s investment in the state as “worth next to nothing.”
Obi gave the advice using his Twitter handle on Friday evening.
He urged his supporters – the obidients, and LP candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns and shun name calling and derogatory statements against others.
He tweeted, “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.
“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.”
