A group, Professionals For Atiku (PFA), has called on political parties' candidates and their supporters to tone down their rhetoric as the campaigns for the 2023 elections begins.

They made the call at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

National Coordinator, Charles Ojugbana, said the group made the call out of concern on the charged atmosphere in the buildup to the campaigns.

He said, "As the 2023 general election approaches, PFA implores all political parties and candidates to tone down the rhetorics in order not to inadvertently incite supporters across the divide.

"We would love to see issue-based campaigns in rallies and even on social media. Nigerian politics must be like any other sport where there will always be a winners and losers.

"For the avoidance of doubt, losing elections should never be seen as failure, it should rather be an opportunity to seek triumph next time around. We must all remember that every time we win, someone else loses. Simply put, those who hate to lose, do not deserve to win!

"For a long time in our country, there has been this erroneous notion, that politics is a dirty game that is better left for a few individuals who have mastered the art of double-speak, vote-buying and fake promises as well.as the notoriety of using politics as a business where winner takes all. In actual fact, we at PFA strongly believe that, the task of governance and nation building is one that belongs to every true patriot who is desirous of a better and more prosperous Nigeria."