12/09/2026
*POLITICS MUST NOT BECOME EXTREMISM: LET US CAMPAIGN WITH ISSUES, NOT INNOCENT PEOPLE'S CONSCIENCE*
Politics is a contest of ideas, policies, character, competence and vision. It should never become a battlefield where innocent people are dragged into campaigns, manipulated, misrepresented or used as tools for political propaganda.
The recent use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create an impression that an elderly woman; who is simply the mother of the NDP candidate for Edo State House of Assembly, Akoko-Edo Constituency 1, Comrade Longe Eriegwe Victory, was endorsing another candidate is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable.
The woman in question is an innocent elderly mother who, by all indications, was simply sitting at home. She is not a political candidate, she is not a campaign strategist, and she should not be dragged into the political contest through manipulated or fabricated content.
This is a serious warning and admonition to every politician, supporter, campaigner and political interest group: *DO NOT TAKE POLITICS TOO FAR.*
There must be a limit to political desperation.
There must be a limit to propaganda.
There must be a limit to political rivalry.
And above all, there must be respect for human dignity.
Artificial Intelligence is a powerful technological tool, but using AI to manipulate the image and perceived position of an innocent person for political advantage is not responsible politics. Technology should be used to inform, educate and communicate; not to manufacture false endorsements, deceive the public or compromise the conscience of innocent citizens.
Campaign with issues.
Tell the people what your candidate can do.
Explain your policies.
Defend your record.
Present your vision.
Debate your competence.
Convince the electorate with facts and ideas.
But leave innocent people out of political manipulation.
If a candidate is worthy of the people's mandate, let that candidate earn it through character, competence, credibility, service and a convincing message, not through fabricated materials designed to deceive the electorate.
To all political actors, supporters and campaign teams: Respect yourselves. Respect your opponents. Respect the elderly. Respect families. Respect innocent citizens. Respect the democratic process.
Elections will come and go. Political opponents may disagree today and still have to live together as neighbours, colleagues, friends and members of the same community tomorrow.
Politics should unite us in our quest for development, not destroy our respect for one another.
We can disagree without being disrespectful.
We can campaign vigorously without being malicious.
We can challenge opponents without attacking innocent family members.
We can use modern technology without abusing it.
And we can pursue political victory without sacrificing our conscience.
Let this be a reminder to everyone involved in the political process: Political competition is healthy; political extremism is dangerous.
The people deserve to hear the truth. They deserve genuine choices. They deserve campaigns built around issues and solutions; not deception, manipulation and the exploitation of innocent people.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Let us campaign with issues, ideas, character and vision.
Let us compete with dignity.
Let us disagree with maturity.
Let us use technology responsibly.
And let us remember that no political victory is worth losing our humanity, integrity and respect for others.
Politics must never be taken so far that we lose our conscience.
Campaign with issues. Campaign with facts. Campaign with dignity.
Leave innocent people out of it.
Be Warned.
*SIGNED;*
*LEV MEDIA TEAM*
