ISDMA Urges Issue-Based Campaigns, Warns Against Attacks on Gov Eno, Akpabio, Others

ISDMA Urges Issue-Based Campaigns, Warns Against Attacks on Gov Eno, Akpabio, Others

The Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Media Advocates (ISDMA) has called on political stakeholders to embrace issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against personal attacks, inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to create division among political leaders in the district and the state.

In a statement signed by its Director of Information, Mfonobong Ukpong, on Saturday, ISDMA urged political actors, aspirants, supporters and media practitioners to use the campaign season to present their records, programmes, policies and vision to the electorate rather than resorting to character assassination and manufactured controversies.

The organisation specifically cautioned against inciting, disparaging or malicious statements against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno; the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and other elected representatives at the federal, state and local government levels.

ISDMA said political competition was a natural feature of democracy but should not degenerate into conspiracy theories, reckless allegations or deliberate attempts to sow discord among leaders.

The group noted that the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District was represented by some of the outstanding lawmakers of Akwa Ibom origin in the 10th National Assembly, adding that the lawmakers had demonstrated unity and collaboration in advancing the interests of their constituents and the state.

It condemned what it described as a recent attempt to create enmity between the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, PhD, and his counterpart representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Dr. Patrick Umoh.

According to ISDMA, such attempts were “mischievous, divisive and inimical” to the spirit of cooperation that should characterise the district’s representation.

The media advocacy group also commended Mr. Torobong Ekpo for retracting his earlier remarks against Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem and tendering an apology, describing the gesture as a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.

ISDMA urged political actors and commentators to emulate such restraint, verify information before publication and take responsibility for the consequences of their words.

The organisation further condemned what it described as an “injurious and disparaging” Facebook publication by Ndiana Anaka against Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, calling for its immediate retraction.

ISDMA said the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District deserved a campaign season in which candidates would be judged on their records, policies, competence and capacity rather than rumours, insinuations and deliberately manufactured controversies.

It challenged political actors to tell the electorate what they had achieved, what they intended to do and how they planned to achieve it, allowing voters to interrogate their records and make informed choices.

“Akwa Ibom deserves a political culture that encourages competition without hatred, criticism without abuse and ambition without division,” the organisation said, reaffirming its commitment to responsible media practice and a peaceful political environment.