The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on media, Rev Richard Peters, has cautioned political class against campaign of calumny and violence that could heat up the polity ahead of the 2023 elections.
The governor’s aide who is also a pastor with the African Church, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, said, “As the campaigns for the 2023 elections are going to kick off in less than 10 days, I urge the politicians to play by the rules and avoid campaigns of bitterness and calumny, especially against the government of the day.
“It is obvious that the governor has created a platform where political participation thrived with fairness, equity and peace. Prior to this administration, there was political turbulence, you dare not challenge the power of the day, it was either you were kidnapped or your family member kidnapped, sometimes killed.
“Looking at Akwa Ibom now, such a thing does not exist rather you see a governorship aspirant block the road without government being perturbed about it. The Aspirants move freely to radio stations to attack the government which they benefited from, and the governor will ignore all those things because of his peaceful nature.
“Unlike what we had in the past, in court, there were lots of litigations where a government official attempted to impose who becomes the village head of a village. Governor Emmanuel’s stance has shown that a leader can rise to popularity even by peaceful disposition and allowing things to thrive freely.
“We were known for hotels, supermarkets, filling stations, but those things have changed. We can boast of State-owned Airline, Syringe manufacturing, flour mill and other industries.
“Our youths used to hang around politicians but now they get busy in their farms, construction companies etc. What the governor has done will outlive his administration,” Peters said.
