Princess Gloria Akobundu, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria, has advised members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Integrity Movement (ANIM), to concentrate on issue-based campaigning rather than disparaging and criticising the candidates of other parties.
After receiving matronship status from the APC support group yesterday during a courtesy call in Abuja, Akobundu made the call.
She claimed that in light of President Muhammadu Buhari's pledge to ensure that the elections held the next year are free of violence and credible in 2022, the demand was required.
“Our party should lead by example by conducting a violent-free sensitisation, campaigns and elections just as the President had vowed at the UN General Assembly, where he promised the world to conduct free, fair and credible elections. So, as members of the APC and Nigerians, we should help him to realise that mandate.
“We must refrain from bringing down any character of persons of our country. It is not the best way to go. Because at the end of the day, when the elections are over, what you have said during the electioneering campaigns will be used to judge your country, not our party.
“When a leader emerges, he emerges for the country, not for the party. We must be able to work harmoniously so that we can be able to deliver the next leader for our country.
“Let’s join hands and work for the Africa and Nigeria we all desire to have. So, let us go out and make sure we discuss issue based campaign.”
Akobundu also stated that though there were still some challenges in the country, President Buhari had acquitted himself remarkably well as the leader of the country.
According to her, those who said Buhari had not done well were either playing politics or refusing to check the facts.
She explained the president had achieved a lot in the areas on which he anchored his development agenda despite the herculean problems he met on the ground.
“This administration has done its best so far and I encourage the party to be able to speak up on these achievements and advocate for peace. It is good to build on the gains of this administration.
“I encourage us to shun violence and embrace a peaceful campaign in line with His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to conduct a peaceful election and to uphold the integrity, vision and legacy of the APC.”
Akobundu added that the second peer review conducted by AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria has supported national planning and boosted investors’ confidence in the country.