Ohanaeze cautions South East politicians against malicious campaigns

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday cautioned politicians in the South-East states, Enugu, against engaging in wicked and malicious political campaigns.

A statement by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said such was not welcome, adding that it would amount to taking the zone back to the evil days when thuggery reigned supreme.

He said it was disturbing that even while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not blown the whistle on campaigns, there were already trending videos on social media where politicians were raining abusive words on their opponents.

He said: “We are worried over the choice of words in certain videos currently in circulation in Enugu State. This is certainly not the way to go. The campaign should be issue-based, not blackmailing people. We do not comprehend a situation where leaders are making careless utterances even while the campaign has not commenced.

“One thing they must take cognisance of is that 2023 will come and go but what has been said will be difficult to erase.

“This development is unacceptable as such utterances can provoke violence. We are already battling insecurity in the South-East; we can’t add thuggery to it because of politicians.”

He added that as the campaign commences later this month, “we call for decorum, civility, policy-based campaigns. No form of character assassination will be entertained.”