The National Chairman, National Unity Party (NUP), Mr Perry Opara, has urged politicians to avoid hate speech so as not to heat up the polity ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Opara, who is also the National Coordinator, United Nigeria for Atiku, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the advice had become necessary, especially as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would lift the ban on campaigns on Nov. 18.

He particularly called on some state governors and politicians in the habit of engaging in hate speeches to be cautious of their utterances in order not to overheat the polity.

“For others, who want to be antagonistic and become landlords of hate speech, we are going to condemn that in a dispassionate manner and in an appealing way.

“We want 2019 elections to be very peaceful, there is no need for hate speech, people should campaign on issues, let there be issued based campaigns not hatred,“ he said.

Opara said the party and the group had, however, been praying for a peaceful and rancour free general elections in 2019.

He added that the group had earlier organised prayers for the country at the Abuja Jabi Lake to seek the face of God before the commencement of electioneering.

Opara expained that the group would continue to pray for a peaceful and rancour free elections in 2019 and for the prosperity and healing of the country.

He, however, called on security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to be above board, before, during and after the 2019 general elections.(NAN)

– Nov. 12, 2018 @ 14:16 GMT |