Chinedum Elekwachi
Rotary Club international has urged politicians in Anambra to place interests of the state above their individual ambitions ahead of Nov. 8 governorship election.
State Coordinator, Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAFGP), Anambra state chapter, Rtn Chido Obiudu gave the advice in Awka.
The advise was given at a media briefing on the national community violence reduction programme to mark 2025 International Peace Day.
The event had the theme – “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, and was organised by Rotary Clubs in Anambra, in conjunction with RAFGP,.
It also featured road walk and flag-off of Anambra state grassroots peace and security assessment (Revalidation of conflict baselines).
Addressing newsmen on Saturday, Obiudu who is also the Past Assistant Governor, regretted campaign of calumny among major candidates of political parties.
He said no individual interest is worth the blood of a citizen.
He however, called on political actors to sheath their swords and give peace a chance.
“We condemn the act in its entirety because it doesn’t speak good of the state we represent.
“Such actions can ignite violence. We advice all actors to sheath their swords and adopt better way of resolving matters.
“Anambra must come first. Your personal interest can’t be above the general interest of the people of the state.
“We must always bear in mind we’re Anambrarians regardless of your political affiliations.
“Let’s save this state through our actions by living and speaking peace in all we do,” he said.
Obiudu urged the government and governed to wear the cloth of peace and cultivate the culture of peace.
“Lots of things have gone wrong. If you know those wrong things you’re doing, it’s time to stop.
“Those who like taking laws into their hands should have a rethink and follow due process, just for peace to reign.
“It’s time to embrace peace, love peace and share peace.
” It’s no longer business as usual. Let’s be law abiding to ensure peaceful election.
“Those who win should be magnanimous in victory while the losers should accept defeat in good faith. Anambra must be first,”he said.
President, Rotary Club of Obowo, Rtn Ngozi Onuoha described negative peace as time bomb waiting to explode.
“We have negative peace all around us which is akin to having cold war underneath.
“We must do everything within our powers to convert it to positive peace,” she added.
UNIZIK Rotary president, Rtn Chukwu Melchizedek urged youths to embrace peace.
He urged INEC ad-hoc workers in the governorship election to coordinate themselves properly before, during and after the poll.
Earlier, President, Rotary Club of Awka metropolis, Rtn. Michael Bishop urged members to cascade the peace message to their various domains.
“We’re the peace crusaders who must carry the 8 pillar peace message.
“They include equity and justice down to the grassroots, namely our clubs, families and communities,” he added.
