Buhari cautions candidates, media handlers against personal attacks during campaigns
![President Muhammadu Buhari](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/5A4BF780-3E07-4420-A9DB-A0A398F15EA9-1200x800.jpeg)
President Muhammadu Buhari, has urged political actors in the 2023 poll to place Nigeria first above regional or sectional interest, ahead of the 2023 general election.
Mr Buhari made the call in a goodwill message at the signing of the National Peace Accord by presidential candidates of political parties for the 2023 general election in Abuja on Thursday.
He urged the media to shun fake news and show commitment to issue-based campaigns to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
“The 2023 general election is more than an election, it is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress.
“Therefore, I call on all Nigerians, political parties, politicians, security agencies, the election management body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims.
“I call on the contestants, especially their publicity agents and media advisers to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, reject the spread of fake news, and commit to issue-based campaigns and political rallies,’’ Mr Buhari said.
He said that as the president, he has always reiterated his commitment to a peaceful, credible and transparent election.
Mr Buhari commended the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, for its commitment to supporting peaceful elections in Nigeria.
He said what the committee has been doing over the years, aligned with his belief that Nigeria needed peace to achieve credible elections.
“However, the rise of fake news and misinformation continue to pose a significant threat to the pattern of democracy in Nigeria.
“It has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns to amplifying the potential for personal attacks, insults, and incitement. It has also significantly diminished the civility and decency in public discourse and debate.
“The initiatives undertaken by the National Peace Committee to commit all political actors to issue-based campaign devoid of incitement, personal insults and attacks is a welcome development,” he said.
Mr Buhari said that everything must be done to support the NPC in its efforts to ensure peace elections in Nigeria.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport,](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Nnamdi-Azikwe-International-Airport.jpg)
Abuja
Passengers traffic increasing at Abuja airport: FAAN
According to him, as of August, the airport processed 3,247,484 domestic and 638,502 international passengers.
![Charles Soludo](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/3B57F6EB-D9A0-4B51-810D-8B7DDDF441B8.jpeg)
Hot news Home top
Governor Soludo bans tricycle, shuttle bus unions
“To forestall a total breakdown of law and order, the state government hereby suspends all tricycle and shuttle bus unions with immediate effect for six months.”
![Photo of sick people in hospital bed in nigeria used to illustrate the story](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Photo-of-sick-people-in-hospital-bed-in-nigeria-used-to-illustrate-the-story.png)
Health
Police investigating boy’s death after injections: Hundeyin
The video also showed the child’s lifeless body on a stretcher with the father crying beside him.
![IGP Usman Baba Alkali](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/IGP-Usman-Baba-Alkali.png)
Hot news Home top
IGP Baba asks political parties, candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns
Inspector general of police Usman Baba has urged political parties to embrace peaceful campaigns across the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.
![Abdulrasheed Bawa](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Bawa2.png)
Anti-Corruption
Internet Fraud: EFCC arrests two siblings, 24 other Yahoo Boys
The anti-graft agency also revealed that a car, laptops and exotic phones, etc., were seized from the suspects.
![Accountant General of the Federation and ASUU President](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/AEE5D723-883E-449E-A48F-D88BD84F5C32-1200x675.jpeg)
Economy
IPPIS: AGF asks ASUU to compromise, claims UTAS will cause chaos
“If we accept what ASUU is saying, it will create room for everyone to be asking for their own payment platform; the military is on IPPIS and health workers.”