President Buhari Advocates Issue-based Campaign As Atiku, Obi, Sowore, Others Sign Peace Accord 

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged all the presidential candidates for the 2023 general election to focus on issue-based campaign during their rallies across the country.

The President told the presidential hopefuls to also shun activities that could jeopardise the elections

The Nigerian leader, who said this on Thursday at the 2023 elections peace accord signing organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) in Abuja, advised the flagbearers and their spokesmen to shun propaganda, fake news, misinformation and personal attacks following the start of the campaigns on Wednesday.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President said the 2023 election is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, defend Nigeria and uphold her unity and progress.

The statement reads: ”I appeal to 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.

”The 2023 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 Independent National Electoral Commission, and all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is placed first above regional and sectional claims.”

The president commended the initiative undertaken by the peace committee to commit political actors to issue-based campaigns.

He added that his government would continue to support the committee in its work to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed his commitment to peaceful, credible and transparent elections, adding that the NPC’s actions align with his belief that Nigeria needs peace in order to achieve credible elections.