The People’s Democratic Party has asked politicians to submit themselves to peace, truth and respect for constituted authority as the nation prepared for general elections in February.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, made the appeal in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the fact that the year 2015 begins with Eid-el-Maulud celebration has great significance and presents an important lesson to Nigerians to live in peaceful co-habitation and brotherhood. It, therefore, urged Nigerians to reflect on the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud, to deepen their commitment and be guided always by the virtues of peace, truth and goodwill among one another.
It also called for respect for constituted authority as taught by Prophet Mohammed.
The statement further charged the political class to desist from heating up the polity through inflammatory statements, politics of bitterness and desperation for power.
It added that all hands must be on deck to ensure the conduct of peaceful general elections in February.
The statement said: “It is saddening that incendiary statements by some politicians fuelled violence and killing of innocent Nigerians.
“Indeed, this is not the way to go. The New Year and the Eid-el-Maulud therefore present yet another opportunity for a rethink.”
It, however, prayed that those who used false claims and inciting comments to stoke the fires of violence would retrace their steps.
This, it said, was necessary to ensure that the New Year, with its promises, was not polluted by such actions.
The statement stressed: “As we go along with the campaign, therefore, we call on all politicians to endeavour to keep it clean, speak only the truth at all times and try to be more mature and decent in their conduct.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, its interest must be paramount over and above all parochial interests.”
It restated the PDP`s commitment to a credible electioneering and issue-based campaign adding that the party would campaign in peace with hope in the hearts of its leaders and members.
It also said that the PDP would campaign with issues and ideas and with its verifiable record of achievements.
The statement maintained that it was indisputable that Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations, enjoy living together as one indivisible nation.
It therefore urged politicians to ensure that their actions and utterances encouraged such at all times.
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