From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini, has urged politicians to shun campaigns of calumny and embrace idea-based campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Speaker who made the call in a welcome speech at resumption of plenary on Monday, further appealed to the various contestants to eschew politics of bitterness capable of leading to violence and wanton destruction of lives and property or heating the polity- unnecessarily.
According to him, for the present democratic dispensation to thrive, politicians must avoid using the youth as political thugs and cannon fodders to cause mayhem during electioneering campaigns in the country.
“My distinguished colleagues, during the period of the recess, electioneering campaigns officially commenced in earnest in readiness for the 2023 general elections.
“I wish to call on all political office seekers to embark on issue-based campaigns, rather than resorting to hate speeches that may lead to violence with attendant consequences.
“Elections all over the world are the only civilized and democratic means of choosing leaders; ours should not be different from the world’s best practices” he stated.
The Speaker further challenged his fellow state legislators to appraise themselves as elected representatives of the people by asking what impact they have on the people during the period of the Ninth Assembly.
“This is very cardinal, especially given our roles as the elected representatives of the teeming populace of Taraba State with the view to making amends where necessary before our tenure expires in June 2023” he explained.