Guber Poll: Anambra Bigger Than Your Personal Ambition – Rotary Int’l tells Politicians

By Praise Chinecherem

Rotary Club international has urged politicians in Anambra state to place interests of the state above their individual ambitions ahead of November 8 governorship election.

State Coordinator, Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAFGP), Anambra state chapter, Rtn Chido Obiudu gave the advice in Awka at a media briefing on the national community violence reduction programme to mark 2025 International Peace Day.

The event themed, “Act Now for a Peaceful World”, organized by Rotary Clubs in Anambra, in conjunction with state chapter of RAFGP, also witnessed road work 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, calling on political actors to sheate their swords and give peace a chance.

He said, “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 the actors to sheate their swords and adopt better was of resolving our matters.

“Anambra must come first. Your personal interest can’t be above the general interest of the people of the state. No individual interest is worth the blood of a citizen.

“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 added, “We’re pleading with everyone, both the government and governed to wear the cloth of peace, 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 show 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 loses should accept defeat in good faith. Anambra must be first.”

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, especially those to be engaged as INEC ad-hoc workers in the governorship election to foster peace by coordinating themselves properly before, during and after the poll.

Earlier, President, Rotary Club of Awka metropolis, Rtn Pharm 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, including equity and justice down to the grassroots, namely our clubs, families and communities,” he added.