Idara Jerome, Uyo

The Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Media Advocates (ISDMA) has warned political actors against personal attacks and inflammatory campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to focus on issues, policies and their records.

In a statement signed by its Director of Information, Mfonobong Ukpong, on Saturday, the group said political ambition must not become a licence for character assassination, reckless rhetoric or attempts to divide the people.

ISDMA specifically cautioned against inciting and disparaging remarks targeting Governor Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other elected representatives at the federal, state and local government levels.

The organisation also condemned an alleged attempt to create enmity between the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, and his counterpart for Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Dr Patrick Umoh.

It commended Torobong Ekpo for retracting his earlier remarks against Idem and tendering an apology, urging political actors and commentators to verify information before publication and take responsibility for their words.

ISDMA further condemned a Facebook publication by one Ndiana Anaka against Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, describing it as injurious and disparaging and calling for its immediate retraction.

The group said the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District deserved a campaign season where candidates would be judged by their records, competence and programmes, rather than rumours and manufactured controversies.

It urged political actors to tell the electorate what they had achieved, what they intended to do and how they planned to achieve it, stressing that competition should be encouraged without hatred, criticism without abuse and political ambition without division.