…Backs Compulsory TV For Debates Candidates
A royal father in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Amb) Uche Umejuru has lent his voice in the call on politicians to avoid utterances that could jeopardize the smooth conduct of the 2019 General Elections.
Umejuru, who is the Eze-Okwu-Onu-Ka-Oha of Idu-Ogba Community, expressed worries that the continuing use of hate speeches and negative propaganda for electoral campaigns would heat up the polity and if not properly handled, could result to crisis.
Fielding questions from journalists at his palace in Idu Ogba on Monday, Umejuru charged politicians, especially those seeking elective positions, to sell their manifestoes to the electorates and leave them to accept it or not.
“For me, I do not think it’s a better strategy to mudsling or take to character assassination just to prove to the electorates that you can deliver. Tell them what you can do for them and how you intend doing it, simple! Anything other than that will be counterproductive” the royal father intoned.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enshrine a code of conduct for politicians and ensure its enforcement.
His words: “It is only by so doing that you separate the wheat from the chaffs. Any politician who means to render service to the people will not resort to hate speeches, blackmail and negative propaganda because, as you know, action speaks louder than words”.
The youthful traditional ruler also advocated for the amendment of the electoral laws to make participation in televised pre-election debates mandatory for all candidates.
“It is not a to be a platform to bamboozle the audience with the Queen’s English, nothing like that. It should rather be a forum for the people (viewers and listeners) to hear from you, what you have to offer; your ability to engage in sound reasoning; test your articulation and sense of judgment.
“A Presidential debate should involve Presidential candidates, same for their running mates, Governorship candidates, National and State Assembly candidates as well as Local Government Chairmanship candidates”, he posited.
The traditional ruler wants his views to be considered apposite, as according to him, Nigeria would only be taken seriously by the rest of the world if it abides by the best practices of modern democracy.
