THE Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called for issue-based campaigns in the build up to the 2023 general elections.
CDD Director Idayat Hassan made the call in a statement released to mark the 2022 Democracy Day celebration.
Hassan also urged candidates of the political parties to present feasible plans while campaigning for the elections.
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Calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised, Hassan urged politicians to show concern about the plight of Nigerians and desist from actions that may tear the country apart.
“We appreciate the efforts being made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so far. No Nigerian must be disenfranchised. We want the vote of Nigerians to also count. Politicians must understand the plight of Nigerians and desist from any action that will lead to disunity.
“The state of the country is getting worst by the day. The rate of insecurity is now at its height. The devaluation of the naira and disparity between naira and other major currencies is at the peak. We can’t continue like this knowing very well that we are one of the fastest growing countries in the world in terms population.
“We therefore urge politicians to focus on issue based campaign and desist from disinformation or fake news. It is also important that politicians desist from using religion and ethnicity to further divide the country. The level of division we have seen is enough. It is time for us to unite,” Hassan said.
The CDD director also lamented the state of the Nigerian economy and the security challenges in the country.
“We need to adopt a whole of society approach and block leakages. It not time for the President to go to bed. The next one year is very critical.
“In fighting corruption, we need a shift from sanction to long term approach that will focus on blocking leakages.
“This Democracy Day should remind the President and anybody vying into political office that Nigerians deserve a better country. I am afraid, the country will not move forward if we fail to deal with our challenges.
“It is now urgent than ever before,” Hassan stressed.
