The Bayelsa State deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has urged the Rotary International, non-political and public spirited organisations to campaign against electoral violence ahead of the November governorship election in the state.
He spoke yesterday while receiving the District 9141 Governor of Rotary International, Mr. Emeke Utebor, and other executives of the body at Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
The deputy governor said states like Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Edo were prone to electoral violence, stressing that it was time the Rotary Club raised its voice against it.
He said, “Your peace agenda should be recalibrated higher. I am saying this because sometimes Rotary is more concerned about the humanitarian aspect of what happened. If we do something to stop the carnage it is cheaper because prevention is cheaper than cure.
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“When there are signs of crisis or violence, you have to step in, and not wait until the conflict has arisen. No doubt, Rotary International has done a lot in the area of health. But the area of prevention of conflict is what I want Rotary to treat seriously.
“Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Edo are states prone to electoral violence, and I believe it is time Rotary raised its voice in this area. I say this because of the recent developments in our state. I believe we should talk. I believe if organisations like you who are neutral speak, people will listen and pay attention to what we are saying.”
