Political parties urged to join campaign against hate speech in Bayelsa

Ahead of the November 2 governorship election in Bayelsa state, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has appealed to political party chairmen to use their offices to champion the campaign against hate speech.

The state chairman of IPAC, Mr. Eneyi Zidougha, made this appeal during an enlarged meeting of all political party chairmen in Yenagoa Tuesday.

Speaking further, Zidougha said in order to achieve a violence-free governorship election come November 2, there is a need for all chairmen of political parties to use their position to campaign against hate speech.

He also stressed the need for chairmen of political parties to put their personal interests aside during campaigns and put the interest of the state and the people first.

“It is high time chairmen of political parties start to use their offices, working together, to campaign against hate speech, vote buying, and ballot snatching.

“There is a need to reconcile all aggrieved political parties because hate speech exists only where political parties are not living at peace with themselves.

“I say so because we were all Bayelsans first before we became chairmen of political parties. So our interest first is to ensure a peaceful Bayelsa during and after the forthcoming governorship election.”

Speaking shortly after the meeting, Zidougha said that IPAC has also resolved to investigate and reveal the identity of persons perceived to be impersonating political party and ensure they are a prosecution.

He said the council took the decision because impersonators are using names of political parties, going cap in hand begging for money and bringing the names of political parties to disrepute.

“We have set up task a force that would travel to Abuja and meet with the national leadership of political parties to confirm the status of all political party chairmen in the state.

“And anyone that is found to be impersonating any political party would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

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