It is indeed a very sad note that few days ago, some armed persons unleashed terror with sporadic attacks on innocent citizens in various parts of the country, including Anambra. Offices of some political parties, branded campaign vehicles and individuals occupying them were attacked with killings and burning of vehicles observed. Other innocent road users became victims of the menace. Many lost their lives and others, their properties, including an illustrious son of the State, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late Prof Dora Akunyili.
No doubt, this type of barbarism is alien to Ndi Anambra, who hold human life sacred. There is no single reason why our own people should be killed like that as the attacks and accompanying deaths cannot be justified. The only reason is that the perpetrators want the federal government to institute state of emergency in the state ahead of the November 6 election to enable them perfect their heinous plans. Thank God President Muhammadu Buhari has twisted their hands.
Thank God also that Governor Willie Obiano acted swiftly by confronting this monster headlong. Everything that needs to be done is being done and the governor has assured that no stone should be left unturned to secure our people.
Ndi Anambra and every person living and doing business in the State, your eyes should be open now. You should also join forces with government to confront this common enemy. We cannot condone this savagery for any reason whatsoever. Therefore, youths are called upon to rise up and protect our communities.
Traditional Rulers, Presidents-General, Clergy men, Vigilante Groups and all leadership structures must take responsibility as Obiano directed and in conjunction with the Police, Military and other Law Enforcement Agencies, work to reverse the ugly trend.
We must unite in this fight against all forms of terror, intimidation and tyranny. Anambra is not for sale to the highest bidder or anyone who can afford to buy all the political desperadoes in the state. We will not succumb to invaders either. This is Anambra, the Light of the Nation, where darkness has no place.
Anyone trying to reintroduce barbarism and mayhem in the state, no matter his status in the society, is an enemy of Ndi Anambra, nay Ndigbo. There is no need for us to continue to hurt ourselves and kill one another, ostensibly, for political reason.
No doubt, in less than one month now, Ndi Anambra will decide who will be their next governor. Thus, the approaching election has created a strange desperation among the political class, leading to acts that are not only inimical to the regime of peace that the present administration has entrenched in our beloved state for eight years but also a threat to democracy.
The deliberate attempt to heat up the system and create the impression of chaos in Anambra State is a ploy by desperate political leaders to wet the ground and provide a perfect alibi for electoral malpractices. It is an undisputable fact that Anambra has been the safest state in Nigeria for eight long years. The question is, why now that election is around the corner?
Ndi Anambra should therefore not allow unconscionable politicians to turn Anambra into a theatre of crime and absurdity. The negative identity they are trying to foist on Anambra State shall not prevail. Let’s rise together to protect our state, protect our communities and defend our democracy.
Anambra is on the threshold of change. This is a great moment in history and we must rise together to take ownership of tomorrow, today. We cannot afford to be impartial observers in a political process that will shape our collective destiny as a people. We all have a role to play to keep our dear state safe and ensure that the coming election offers Anambra State a chance to stay on the highway of greatness.
Politics aside, we have a moral duty to keep Anambra on the path of continued growth and development and the only one that can sail the ship to the desired destination is the man who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way, Professor Chukwuma Soludo. Don’t allow yourself to be bought over like others because Anambra is not for sale to the highest bidder.
WRITTEN BY CHIEF JUDE EMECHETA
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