Akwa Ibom: Media practitioners threaten to call out politicians, parties involved in mudslinging

By Adeleye Kunle

As major political parties commenced their electioneering campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections, media practitioners in Akwa Ibom State, under the aegis of Uyo Senatorial District Media Practitioners Forum, USDMPF, have threatened to call out any politician or political party involved in campaigns of violence, calumny or mudslinging.

Addressing a press conference in Uyo over the weekend, the Forum’s Chairman, Elder Ofonimeh Isong, flanked by the BOT Secretary, Revd Richard Peters, as well as other executive members urged politicians to focus on their blueprints and issues and not to attack persons or opponents.

Isong said the forum would deploy all available legal means to ensure that campaigns are done following electoral guidelines and peoples votes count at the polls.

The chairman, however, urged the people
to come out and vote, assuring them that their freely-cast votes would count even as he encouraged them not to sell their PVCs as it is the power they have to determine their future.

He noted that Akwa Ibom State has gone through a lot in the past elections and as the watch dogs of the society they would name and shame any politician found stockpiling arms to stoke violence in the state, which according to them, the governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has made to remain peaceful