Women Seek 60 Percent Elective Offices

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Nigerian women have lamented the non-implementation of the Beijing, China agreement of 1985 that 30 percent of political offices should be reserved for women, saying that men have continued to oppress them.

Speaking this morning in Ibadan, South West Nigeria, at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South-West women’s rally tagged On 30 Percent We Stand,” zonal women leader, Mrs. Adenike Oluwole, said in spite of the women’s numerical strength, they have not been given their rightful place in both elective and appointive positions in Nigeria.

Mrs. Oluwole said: “By our numerical strength, women should have at least 60 percent of all positions in the country. I must say that our position is far from this.

“For example, in the South-West, out of 80 senators, we have only one, which is only 5%, while out of over 70 members in the House of Representatives, we have less than 10%; this is about 14 per cent. We have two out of thirty-six deputy governors and zero out of thirty-six governors in the country.

“You will all agree with me that women have been short-changed.”

Appealing to wife of the president, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, to assist the women on adequate representation in governance, she urged the women to rise up to the challenge by coming out to contest for elective positions. She said they should not be intimidated by men.

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Meanwhile, the Oyo State capital, Ibadan, Nigeia stood still this morning as residents awaited the arrival of the first lady, Mrs. Patience Goodluck Jonathan at the PDP South-West zonal women rally.

Security agents like the police, SSS and others were on guard. A police armoured personnel carrier was stationed at the entrance of the Liberty Stadium, venue of the rally.

Thousands of delegates from the South-West states of Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo had filled the stadium as early as 8am.

Posters of political office seekers under the PDP platform like Sen. Omosoro, Mrs. Jumoke Akinyide amongst others were pasted all over the place. Party stalwarts present include the daughter of the former president, Sen. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello who was expected to receive Mrs. Jonathan.

As at the time of filing this report, Mrs. Jonathan was still being expected.

—Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

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