Politics
THE Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State branch has called on candidates contesting various electoral offices, political parties, stakeholders and their overzealous supporters, praise singers , hangers on and sycophants to play the game in accordance with the constitution and electoral act.
The statement, tagged “Let us give peace and love chance to triumph” condemned recent scuffle between supporters of two major political parties at Enugwukwu in Njikoka Local Government. It is very unfortunate, worrisome, despicable, detestable and condemnable. Concerted efforts should be made by both security personnel, candidates, political parties and stakeholders to forestall future occurrence of the dastardly act.
“We decried with great disdain avoidable rising political tensions, unsubstantiated character assassination, name callings, casting unnecessary aspersions on perceived opponents and physical confrontations rearing its ugly head in the state,” the press statement endorsed by Vincent Ezekwueme, chairman and Chidi Mbah, Secretary, said.
“It is pertinent and step in the right direction for all political parties and their candidates to counsel their overzealous supporters to show respect, civility, decency and decorum while embarking on campaigns or selling their principals manifestos to the electorate.
“They should stop the wrong impression of no vacancy as a way of impressing their principals and intimidating their opponents.
“It is of prime importance to remind them that every elective offices with exception of local government elections elapses every four years, hence there must be election to avoid leadership vacuum. It is left for the electorate to renew or withdraw the mandate.
“We most passionately appeal to all candidates to play politics without bitterness and rancour.
“They should tolerates views of political opponents because intolerance, absence of constructive criticism is a threat to our democracy and democratic spirit.”
It urged political leaders and candidates to stop fraternizing with services of praise singers, hero worshippers and every government in power as they constitute the worst and greatest enemies of good governance and democratic government.
“Unless and until our political leaders realize that those who tell them what they need to know and do are truly patriotic citizens not those who praise them and tell them what they want to hear for their pecuniary selfish interests, the future just like the present will be very bleak and unbearable.
“Get your PVC and vote on the election day because if you don’t take interest in politics, politics will certainly take interest in you.
“We applaud maturity, decorum, civility and mutual respect in which Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is campaigning, other candidates and political parties should emulates him,” CLO added.
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Tags: Chidi Mbah Vincent Ezekwueme
