Ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State, the Women Group, under the auspices of the Ondo State Women Group, has advocated for a female deputy governorship candidate from all political parties in the race.
The group stated this in a communiqué issued after its inaugural meeting in Akure, calling on all governorship candidates of all political parties in the state to pick female running mates.
The group lamented that women have been sidelined in almost all the endeavours of life, including politics, saying it is unfair that the state has not produced a female deputy governor since the creation of the state.
The woman stated that the call became necessary in order to ensure women secure substantial appointments in the forthcoming state cabinet.
The meeting, which was tagged “Agitation For Gender Balance and Inclusiveness In Governance,” had women from different sectors who are interested in politics deliberate on how they could get a fair share of political offices, both elective and non-elective.
In the communiqué signed by the convener, Mrs. Adebimpe Adeniyi called on all the political parties to be more gender-sensitive and all-inclusive in their government policies and programmes
Speaking at the meeting, a former commissioner for Information in the state,
Mrs. Tola Awo tasked women with acquiring academic knowledge to qualify them for elective and non-elective positions in the state and country.
The communique issued read in parts: “Despite the immeasurable contributions of women to the restoration of democracy and national growth and development, Nigerian women have been relegated and reduced to the back seats in both elective and appointed positions.
“Since 1999, when Nigeria transitioned from military rule to democratic governance, women have yet to occupy up to 15 per cent of elective positions in a country where the voting population of women is equal to if not more than, men.
“We must, however, acknowledge that women have been nominated and elected as deputy governors in some states in Nigeria.
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“In the South West, only Ondo State, which prides itself on being the intellectual base of the region, is yet to provide an opportunity for a female deputy governor.
“After extensive deliberation during the Inaugural Meeting, we have resolved and demanded the nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates of all the participating political parties in the 2024 Governorship Election of Ondo State.
“An increased budgetary allocation for the State Ministry of Women Affairs.
“The justifiable agitation and legitimate demand, particularly regarding the nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates from all participating political parties, will persist until it is met and complied with by all political parties in the state.
“Using the unique Yoruba word ‘Odatiwa’ for inclusiveness while simultaneously confining women to the ‘other room’ is contradictory and unacceptable.
“A complete and total abandonment of all forms of discrimination—cultural, religious, and traditional—against the girl child in Ondo State.
“A more gender-sensitive and all-inclusive government policy and programme across all sectors.
“Full implementation of all gender balance-related legislation, including the National Gender Policy—Affirmative Action, by allotting 35 per cent of appointments in the public sector to women.
“Free and quality healthcare services for pregnant women and children under age 0–6.”
Prominent women in the state who were present at the meeting include Chief Mrs. Bola Eko-Davids, who represented the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo.
Others include Aare Iyaloja Ondo State, Chief Mrs. Nike Aroloye, Mrs. Tola Awo, a former commissioner in the state, Chief Mrs. Adu Olufunke, Iyaloja General of APC, Jumoke Akorode, Abimola Osifeso, and Toying Akinmoyo, among others.
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