By Imitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT— Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has cautioned against electoral violence in the 2015 general elections.
The governor, in his Independence Day broadcast, appealed to the political class to resist every urge to indulge in political violence, stressing that peace was needed for effective governance.

He said: “As we prepare for the 2015 general elections, may our politicians and their followers know that a kingdom divided against self cannot stand. If we maim and kill the people we aspire to lead, who will we then govern? Let us run our campaigns in the best manner and pursue our electioneering with respect for one another.”

He noted the success of his administration in security and education, adding that it took courage to address the security problem facing the state.

“Insecurity was at its peak. Our humanity was debased even as our pride was assaulted, but with bravery and the boldness of our fathers, we soon made our streets safe again. Life has returned to our biggest city, Port Harcourt, as well as our communities. Our economy again began to blossom and those investors chased away are now returning to the state. Today, our state thrives as Nigeria’s second biggest economy.

“When we came into office, Rivers State public schools were no better than a sanctuary of the unlearned.  Classrooms were over-crowded. Teachers’ morale was at its lowest. But seven years later, we have changed all of that. Not only have we built 500 of the best model primary schools in Africa, we have carried out the largest, single recruitment exercise ever undertaken by any Nigerian tier of government since October 1, 1960. We employed 13, 210 classroom teachers. With our free education programme, we have rekindled the hope of the poorest of our people. Today, our children learn under the most cordial environment.”