By Iyke-Jacobs Nwosu.
Politics the world over is akin to leadership . In the present Imo politics the ruling party , APC has demonstrated ample opportunities to members and the gullible masses that reward for hard work is more work.
The party in all sincerity has also shown to her members that the party has interests of members at heart. This no doubt is paramount with actions and inactions of the the party’s leaderships .
In politics , Women and youths constitutes a significant percentage of electorates which means political decisions and calculations revolve around them.
Recall contributions of women in the formative stages of Nigerian Democracy . Remember also actions and Contributions of such women as Mrs Ransom Kuti, Mrs Kofo Abayomi, Sera Jebril , Margret Ekpo , The Original madam TINUBU of Lagos and to our own Clime Ambassador Mrs Kema Chikwe , Maria Egu, Mrs Nzimiro, Mrs Monueke, etc .
Let me not bore you with names of other Women activists who played significant roles for democratic governance in Nigeria .
In APC Platforms lots of women are assumed to be in active service as a result of this assertion .
The 1985 the Benjiv Conference asserted the Rights of Women to Participate in Democratic governance where 35 percent affirmation is Reserved or given to them .
The recent Imo state APC Local government Party Primaries for the September 21st. 2024 LGA Executive Chairmanship seats has nothing to show that APC in Imo has the interests of Women members at heart.
The party has no place for Imo Women in their Choosen Consensus style of selection of Candidates . A case in point is the Current Party List that has only two women as Candidates out of 27 LGAs . Records are available that at least not less than ten Females aspired to the Executive Chairmanship seats in their respective Council areas. Most of them who were serious contenders had one contribution to another in politics.
Before the emergence of H/E Lady Dr. Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru as our deputy governor, there were voices and groups that advocated for selection of a Female candidate which Apc and His Excellency distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma. CON ( Onwa Oyoko) harkened to.
In Imo, APC can not deny the fact that the Party had good and reasonable candidates amongst some of the aspirants within their female folks.
Evidentially those that voiced out the inclusion of women in decision making appear not being rewarded in the contentious List of flag-bearers for September 21st 2024 local govt elections. Missing are the champions of women matter and agenda in persons of
Barrister Mrs Chilaka Igidi, from Aboh Mbaise and Princess Calista Anene of Oguta LGA who have been front liners as advocates for Women in Politics who are jettisoned . Currently only two women candidates for chairmanship surfaced out of 27 LGAs forcing
Imolites to ask , where and what happened to the 35 percent female affirmation. ?
Again The general public is of the belief that IMO APC party and its led government has respect and feeling for active women politically but In the Executive COUNCIL, only two women are included in Imo state Exco presided over by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma ., CON with Zero Female house member in the 27 LGA state assembly .
Does it mean women have no relevance in Imo politics, ? Does it mean Women don't have good followership ? Does it mean they can not drive good leadership at the grassroots ? Nigerian Political Parties especially APC this is a challenge , Imo women and good conscieced Nigerians are asking. In an ongoing National conference of stand up Women taking place in Owerri, Imo state Capital , Women who are media practitioners and advocates of good governance Solicits the inclusion of more women in governance. Timmy Jumbo who is from Bayelsa expressed discontent on the number of slots allocated to women in politics. She appealed to Political Leaders to take a second look on their Lists for more women to prove sincerity of purpose for equity , Justice and fair play in Politics.