Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged politicians contesting the forthcoming elections to prioritise national unity, ideas and solutions over divisive rhetoric and political differences.
Obi made the call after joining Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the APM leader, at the commissioning of the party’s Presidential Campaign Office in Abuja.
He said Nigeria could only achieve meaningful progress by building a “New Nigeria” founded on unity, love, justice, mutual respect and inclusion.
According to him, political contests must not be allowed to become unnecessarily contentious or deepen divisions among Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor said the love politicians and citizens have for Nigeria must always be greater than their political differences, urging all contestants to make this principle the foundation of their campaigns.
He challenged political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, poverty, hunger, inequality and the growing number of out-of-school children.
“Let our contest be about ideas and solutions that will address the enormous challenges facing our country today,” Obi said.
He urged politicians to compete on policies capable of uniting Nigerians, improving living standards and restoring hope, while maintaining respect, decency and love for one another.
Obi also congratulated Makinde, Mohammed and other leaders and members of the APM on the commissioning of the party’s new Presidential Campaign Office.
