Ahead of the Kogi State gubernatorial election, the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state has resorted to name calling, labeling the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Idris Wada a “lunatic” and breaching the peace accord in the process.
The APC in a page drew a caricature image in the NATION, the party’s major media outlet, depicting Wada with both hands and feet bound in chains with the inscription, “Lord Lugard’s House is not a rehabilitation home for lunatics! Will you cast your vote to a lunatic?”
In the build-up of the governorship election slated for November 21, 2015 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the APC has been seen to engage in name calling and smear campaigns in order to score cheap political points.
This disturbing trend which characterized the APC’s campaigns during the last general elections appears to not have abated.
During the 2015 presidential campaign, the APC carried out a smear campaign against former President Goodluck Jonathan over the alleged use of security agencies, especially the DSS and the Police, to harass and intimidate the opposition.
He was described as “clueless” and allegedly hatching a plan to hand over to the military.
Political pundits are of the view that the APC in Kogi State had violated the peace accord that was signed by both parties on October 12, 2015 to ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the poll.
Speaking at the ceremony in Lokoja, the state capital, the Police Commissioner in Kogi, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the initiative was aimed at encouraging political parties, candidates and supporters to shun violence, hate speeches and all acts capable of leading to breakdown of law and order.
- “Today’s peace accord is necessitated by the desire and determination of the Kogi State Police Command and stakeholders to ensure and achieve free, fair and credible election which is devoid of violence before, during and after the Kogi State gubernatorial election,” Ojukwu had said.
The event which had 24 candidates of various political parties present saw those in attendance agreeing to play according to rules.
Barely three weeks to the election, the Nation Newspaper has continued to spread hate messages and has refused to adhere to best practices of the profession.
