2023 Campaigns: INEC Sends Important Message to Political Parties, Candidates Over What They Should Say

• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned candidates and political parties over their choice of words
• Specifically, INEC advised them against using hate speech, abusive language, and all actions capable of truncating the outcome of the election
• Also, the electoral umpire charged the media on equal coverage and visibility to all political parties

A strong message has been sent to political parties ahead of the commencement of the 2023 electioneering campaigns. The message was sent by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the message, the electoral umpire warned the 18 registered political parties and politicians in the country to avoid hate speech, abusive language, and all actions capable of truncating the outcome of the election, Business Day reports.

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The warning was issued by INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the ongoing two-day capacity-building workshop on the Commission’s progresses, innovations, preparations for the 2023 general elections and critical issues in the Electoral Act 2022 in Lagos, Punch Newspaper added.

He said:

“A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings. Abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns."

Going further, the INEC chairman urged the media to perform their duties without any favouritism.

He added:

"In other words, equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties by all public print and electronic media organisations."

Peter Obi: Olu Falae backs southeast for 2023 presidency

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Peter Obi: Influential Yoruba politician backs southeast, says Igbo should be Nigeria's next president

Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move, another Yoruba elder backed the southeast for Nigeria's presidency in 2023. According to Chief Olu Falae, who was a former minister of finance, the time has come for Igbos to produce the next president.

Falae said fair-minded Yoruba people will see the reason to support an Igbo presidency. He added that though in the past, Igbos had contested against Yorubas while other regions conceded but that does not mean they should not be voted this time around.

He said:

“The first two have been presidents and so, equity requires that the Igbo should be president. So, if you are a fair-minded Yoruba person like I am, then you will vote for the Igbo based on equity.”

Source: Legit.ng