The national chairman of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, has advised governorship candidates for the November 16 Anambra State election and political parties to make their campaign issue-based.
Aniebonam, in a statement made available to Saturday Mirror, also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to increase its supervisory role on matters of code of conduct among politicians, stressing that it is very important to stem the tide of violence occasioned by gross misconduct of the critical stakeholders.
The statement reads in part: "We have observed with great concern, the conduct of the gubernatorial candidates' electioneering campaigns of some political parties in the Anambra State election scheduled for November 16, 2013. It is very sad that some of the political rallies so far held in the state were characterised by mudslinging rather than issue-based campaigns.
"Aside from the gubernatorial candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willie Obiano, and New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Chief Leonard Uchendu, many of the other candidates are merely throwing stones when it is not necessary.
"It shall be of more benefit if gubernatorial candidates restrict themselves to telling the public more about their manifestos rather than castigating the other candidates and the incumbent government. The candidates should tell the public those things they will do to surpass the present administration and how they intend to source the funds for their programmes.
"The gubernatorial candidate of APGA on his part never told the public that Peter Obi has concluded the work in Anambra State but rather said he shall continue from where Governor Obi stopped, to improve the lot of the public through good governance. This, we believe is a good approach because Governor Obi reasonably is doing his best within the limited resources available to the state.
"In the same vein, the NNPP gubernatorial candidate, Chief Leonard Uchendu, on his own has never condemned Governor Obi or any other candidate but stated that he would take Anambra State to the next level if he is given the mandate. He talked about putting machineries in place to enhance skilled labour in the state through vocational training and formal education. This is a way out of the unemployment problem in the state.
It means Anambra State can export skilled labour to places where they may be needed. "It is our view that gubernatorial candidates and their political parties should advance the course of their manifestos to enable voters make their choice."
Source: Anambra guber election: Make campaign issue-based –NNPP chair (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/anambra-guber-election-make-campaign-issue-based-nnpp-chair/)