A Lokoja-based civil society organization, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has called on political actors in Kogi state to stick to issues during their campaigns for the November governorship election.
In a press statement signed by the executive director, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, CHRCR noted that various political parties in the state have been involved in character assassination and other acts that can heat up the polity.
The CSO reiterated its demand for politicians and political parties to stick to issue-based campaigns.
“Election is a game of competition that has different participants and different processes, as different political parties participating in the coming Governorship election slated for November 16th 2019, put in place various campaign committees and strategies for the election.
“Based on our early warning signs, assessment and analysis, it has been discovered and revealed that various political parties across board in Kogi State are involved in character assassination, inflammatory statements, unguided utterances and non-issue based campaign slogans that can heat up the politics and trigger electoral violence.
“It is worrisome, politicians are not telling the electorates what they intend to do, how they wants to do it, when they want to do it, so as to encourage public tracking.
“We are very worried that if these ugly trend is not check it can lead to monumental electoral crises as we move towards the November 16th Governorship election in the State,” he said.
Miliko called on the security agencies to intensify efforts in engaging political parties, their supporters and all the candidates in the governorship election on unguided and inflammatory statements.
“INEC should consistently engaging relevant stakeholders and making available all electoral guidelines and dos-and-donts in curbing electoral violence in this crucial election. Every stakeholders should know that there is life after election and must stop issues that can trigger electoral violence particular in Kogi state,” he added.