Peter Obi warns Labour Party candidates against name calling, insults

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has encouraged candidates at all levels to run issue-based campaigns.

Obi who has so far been to Nasarawa, Benue, Abia and Edo states since beginning his campaigns, made this known on Friday.

Citing insult hurled at Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue as an example, Obi said such comments will only increase the tensions in the country.

He said, “I called 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.

“We must continue to focus on running an issue-based campaign, and unite with everyone to build a new and better Nigeria. I wish all our candidates, including myself, well in the forthcoming elections.