A community development advocate and Executive Director of the OLEGH Centre for Community Development, Henry Eferegbo, has called on political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of next year and future elections, insisting that policy-driven engagements would reduce hate speech and strengthen democratic governance.

Eferegbo, who spoke on the need for more responsible political communication, said campaigns should focus on manifestos, facts and verifiable evidence rather than personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.

According to him, policy-driven campaigning requires both structural discipline and a change in political mindset, stressing that when political leaders regard opponents as civic competitors instead of enemies, electioneering becomes a platform for public education rather than polarization.

He urged politicians to anchor campaign debates on independent statistics, budget reports and academic research, noting that criticisms should address the feasibility and economic implications of policies instead of the personalities of political opponents.

Eferegbo also advocated the publication of detailed and measurable manifestos, arguing that clearly articulated policy documents would shift public discourse from political drama to implementation strategies.

He identified security, economic growth, domestic refining capacity, affordable clean energy, climate action, education and healthcare as critical areas requiring concrete and actionable policy proposals from presidential candidates.

On security, he recommended intelligence-led policing, the deployment of technology, community-based security structures and addressing the socio-economic factors driving insecurity, including unemployment and poverty.

He also called for industrialisation, greater support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investment in the digital and creative economy, and policies that encourage local value addition instead of dependence on imported goods.

The development advocate further stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity through functional public and private refineries, guaranteed crude supply for local refiners and expanded gas-to-power infrastructure to improve energy security.

On climate action, he urged governments to invest in renewable energy, climate adaptation projects, flood control, erosion management and climate-smart agriculture, while pursuing a just energy transition that balances environmental sustainability with economic development.

Eferegbo equally emphasised investment in quality education, research, healthcare and improved welfare for professionals as measures to curb the increasing migration of skilled Nigerians abroad.

He further advocated stronger institutional mechanisms to ensure a level playing field during elections. These include empowering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address politically motivated denial of campaign venues, designating public spaces for campaign activities, establishing fast-track electoral courts to handle campaign-related disputes, and guaranteeing equal access to public facilities for all political parties.

He also urged political leaders to reject violence and thuggery, maintain decorum in their rhetoric and focus campaigns on policy alternatives, governance records and programmes that would deliver tangible benefits to Rivers State and the country at large.