AAAN Disclaims Offensive Ads, Pleads for Political Decorum by Gladiators

Members of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), has called on political parties and shadow interest groups to control indiscriminate placement of campaign materials across the various media channels.

Kelechi Nwosu, AAAN President

This was contained in a statement signed by the President of the association, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, where he stated that most of the materials are in obvious disregard of the advertising code and ethics of APCON (Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria) and the AAAN.

The document also noted that most of these political advertisements have been exposed without going through the vetting procedures and consequent approvals from the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) of APCON.

“Our concerns are that the professional values of the advertising practice and indeed public sensibilities, as well as the very stability of the polity have been severely undermined by the continued character assassinations, wanton abuses, unrestrained attacks, threats and counter threats that have become the bane of the political communication building up to the elections”.

The AAAN therefore implores the various stakeholders: political parties, candidates, interest groups, traditional and religious leaders to temper their campaign messages and public utterances with decorum.

The President through the report warns that if the continued improper politicking; unbridled bloodlust for power overheats the system and tilts the polity into chaos and anarchy, there would be no political prize to be won only reversals and crises that would seek to tear the nation apart and plunge subsequent generations into dark age.

“We would also urge media houses and the relevant regulatory bodies that have a role to play in moderating and channelling political campaigns and public discourse to institute stronger editorial controls that give ultimate priority to the public good and national interest. Extreme caution must be applied, so as not to ignite the polity, especially now that we’re a few weeks away from the elections”.

According to him, elections will come and go but Nigeria and Nigerians will remain ONE. He concluded with an advice for Nigerians to shun violence and improper rhetoric by comporting themselves first as Nigerians, and as political gladiators, during and after the election.