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Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio cautions governorship candidates against vulgarity, defamatory remarks and unsubstantiated allegations.
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Group urges politicians to focus on manifestos, policy alternatives and solutions to Akwa Ibom’s challenges.
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Calls on eligible voters to collect their PVCs and participate actively in the 2027 elections.
November 12, (THEWILL) – Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI), a socio-cultural organisation in Akwa Ibom State, has cautioned governorship candidates in the 2027 general election, particularly Senator John James Udoedehe, against the use of vulgar language, personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations in their campaigns.
The organisation’s reaction followed a viral video circulating on social media in which Udoedehe, one of the governorship aspirants, was seen addressing supporters.
In a statement endorsed by Akparawa Idongesit Ikono, International Public Relations Officer of MMI and made available to THEWILL on Thursday, MMI expressed concern over what it described as the growing resort to allegations and references to the private lives of individuals as instruments of political campaigns.
While acknowledging the right of candidates to canvass for votes, criticise opposing views and hold public office seekers accountable, the organisation said political engagements must be guided by facts, decency and respect for human dignity.
It warned that political disagreements should not degenerate into personal vilification, defamatory claims or deliberate attempts to inflame public sentiment.
According to MMI, such conduct is inimical to democratic values and could heighten political tensions, thereby threatening the peace, unity and stability of Akwa Ibom State.
The organisation urged candidates and their supporters across political parties to embrace issue-based and constructive campaigns, stressing that political parties and their candidates should focus on presenting their manifestoes, policy alternatives and leadership capacity.
It said the electorate deserved robust debates, credible alternatives and practical solutions to the challenges confronting the state rather than campaigns driven by personal attacks.
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MMI further stressed that political ambition, regardless of how legitimate, must not be pursued at the expense of civility, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
The organisation also called on eligible citizens who were yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so without further delay, describing the cards as essential instruments for exercising their constitutional right to vote.
It urged the electorate to take ownership of the democratic process by scrutinising candidates and their programmes, making informed choices and voting according to their convictions.
MMI maintained that the strength of democracy lay not in the bitterness of political contests but in the quality of ideas, credibility of candidates and maturity of political engagement.
