2023 Elections: Public Communicators Should Eschew Ethnic Sentiments – APRA President

2023 Elections: Public Communicators Should Eschew Ethnic Sentiments – APRA President

The President of African Public Relations Association, APRA, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, has cautioned public communicators against politics of discrimination in the continent.

Speaking to Spokespersons Digest, a publication of PRNigeria over the recent elections in Nigeria, Badejo-Okusanya, urged the candidates and their supporters to eschew ethnic sentiments and inciting remarks that could lead to violent confrontations.

According to the continental PR chief, Nigerians should guard against tribal or ethnic sentiments, especially after the election.

Rather, they should assess candidates vying for political offices based on their ideas, character, competence and capacity, it said.

The APRA helmsman said: “There should be no place for racial, ethnic or tribal sentiments in an election which should be based on ideas, character, competence and capacity.

“There can be no justice without equity and fairness. Many of us ought to be thoroughly ashamed of conducts of some public figures and the roles they played in the gas-lighting.

“Now that the elections have come and gone, victory is declared, we are looking for sincerely healing through mutual respect and constructive engagements.

“We should condemn certain narratives capable of undermining peaceful coexistence and National security.

“I urge public communicators to exhibit certain level of caution, decorum and decency in their statements whether written or spoken.

“A lot more intentional work has to be done to correct the ill going forward”.

Speaking on the forthcoming annual African Public Relations Conference scheduled to take place between May 15-19, 2023 in Lusaka Zambia, the APRA president said that the Zambian Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) will be the chief host.

The APRA Zambia 2023 has the theme: ‘Creative Africa: Exploring the PR potential of Africa as an emerging economic and reputation powerhouse.

The event would feature the sixth edition of SABRE Awards Africa for PR Excellence to be hosted by PRovoke Media. The annual gathering will host professionals from various sectors of the communications industry including public relations, marketing, advertising, branding, media, and government

By PRNigeria