Abia House of Reps candidate has enjoined candidates running for political offices in next year’s general elections to play by the rules by engaging in issue-based campaigns.

Barr. Ugochukwu Jesse Nwaenyo, who is running on the platform of United Progressive Party UPP) for Obingwa, Osisiomangwa and Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, warned that if politicians are not mindful of their languages, the campaign of calumny which is gradually taking the centre stage in the build up to the campaigns and the general elections may degenerate to something unbecoming.

“The time is not apt for the smear campaigns which have taking the centre stage in our polity. There is a serious deviation in the sense instead of politicians engaging in constructive messages that would appeal to the conscience of the electorate; they resort to smear campaigns to run down their opponents.

He continued: “This attitude is not healthy for our polity. Already the political atmosphere is heated up and further stretch can compound the situation.”

Nwaenyo also harped on the need for regular interface between the legislators and their constituents, adding that this will enable the legislators to appreciate the needs of their constituents.

“Constituency parleys between the legislators and their constituents is very imperative in the business of legislation because it would enable the legislators to appreciate the needs of their constituents, articulate these needs so that it would reflected on their legislative functions,” Nwaenyo explained.