By Gabriel Chy Alonta & Lawrence Nwimo
A Coalition of Anambra Women, a network of women-led civil society organisations in Anambra state, on Saturday, staged a peaceful prayer rally to seek divine intervention to the spate of killings in the state ahead of November 6 gubernatorial election.
The women group also prayed for peaceful conduct of the governorship poll.
Anambra state has in recent months witnessed severe security breaches that had led to the killing of prominent individuals including Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband to former Minister of Information, Late Prof Dora Akunyili and several youths, a situation that has instilled fear and apprehension among residents.
The growing tension in the state is allegedly connected to the upcoming governorship election in the state, coupled with incessant attacks by unknown gunmen. This is equally fuelled by the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), this paper learnt.
Orient Daily reports that the women were moved by the security situation in the state and stormed the streets of Nibo in Awka South local government area in procession. This is after prayer intercession at the Umu Ube Hall, Nibo, wailing and chanting with placards that read: “Human life is sacred, so stop eliminating it”, “Anambra land is bleeding, let peace reign”, “Right to life is basic and constitutional”, among many others.
Some stakeholders that spoke at the event include the State Coordinator, One Hundred Women Lobby Group, Mrs. Ify Unachukwu, who explained that the women decided to embark on the exercise due to the concern and threat to people’s right to life and to ask God for a violent-free gubernatorial election in the state.
According to Unachukwu, what is happening in Anambra affects everyone and a lot of women are becoming widows and childless. We felt that the bloodletting in the state had lingered enough and peace needs to be restored with prayers.
Mrs. Eucharia Adukwulu, the South East Coordinator of STAGE for Women Development, said that women decided to cry unto God that enough is enough on the plights of the residents of the state.
“They are killing our children, husbands, and relations. The killings are much and we decided to hold this one-day prayer rally to ask God for his divine intervention. We believed that God hears our voice because he is the God of women and he never fails to hearken to our cries”, she added.
Similarly, Barr. Oge Ekweozor, Coordinator, Women for Women and Dr. Ego Uzoezie, Chairperson, Nigeria League of Women Voters (NiLOWV), said the women used the occasion to ask God for bloodless governorship election and to restore peace and harmony in the state.
The Women Coalition Prayer Rally and Walk to End Violence was held in partnership with Gender Perspective and Social Development Center, VAWIP Programme, including Women for Women Development Initiative, 100 Women Lobby Group, Umuadaigbo Nigeria in Diaspora, Unique Development Foundation for Women, STAGE for Women Development Initiative, Care Trust Development Initiative, Women for Equity & Fairness organization of Nigeria, National Human Rights Commission, African Community Development and Human Rights Protection Initiative, (AFRICDEV).