Women leaders of front-line political parties have agreed to engage in advocacy and sensitization of the grassroots ahead of the local government elections and 2027 general elections in Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The Women Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lady Maria-Assumpta Offiong represented by Dr. Esienanwan Archibong, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Florence Inyang and Labour Party, Mrs. Nkoyo Otu agreed that women actively involved in politics should sensitize others at the grassroots to be interested in state affairs and decision making.
The women were reacting to the call by the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Nigeria Project implemented by the Gender and Development Action, GADA, and supported by ActionAid with funding from Global Affairs Canada in Calabar, the state capital.
According to the State Women Leaders, “Taking deliberate steps and collectively with one voice, the narrative would be changed from casting votes for male candidates during elections to voting credible women to office at the local, state and national levels”.
APC’s woman leader Lady Offiong said, “I am in support of every woman to be a partaker in decision-making and politics. As women, we are naturally endowed to be transparent and accountable. When a woman assumes political office or takes charge of leadership or any decision-making, she looks beyond party lines to do the right thing. A woman will accommodate everybody including children and youths because we have a large heart.”
On her part, Mrs Inyang of the PDP stated, “As women we need to amplify our voices to be heard irrespective of the political parties. Indeed we are sisters. There is a need for us to come together and say enough is enough of “salt and Maggi” (food seasonings) when it is time for elections. We are more than that. In the coming local government election in the state, we need to see more women come out to participate.
“As women, we need to love ourselves first and love our sisters. Like I said, we need to look beyond political parties and together take the campaign to women at the grassroots to be actively involved in politics. Women who have what it takes to lead should be encouraged to reach out for decision-making positions. We are committed to changing the narrative through serious grassroots advocacy,” Inyang stressed.
Also speaking, Mrs Otu of the Labour Party stated, “Women have been deceived for so long. It is only during elections that our male counterparts know that women are there and have the voting strength. Then they deceive women with rice, salt and maggi. It is a big insult. But, if all women can come together with one voice and say ‘Enough is Enough’, and take a firm stand for ourselves, we will do better during the local government election and the 2027 election.
“I would like to let women know that 2027 is no joke, it is just around the corner. Let us all take sensitisation to the streets. We will galvanise support for increased women’s participation in politics, especially as we celebrate 2024 International Women’s Day. It is our duty as stakeholders to encourage those interested to step up and be a part of the decision-making in Cross River State and Nigeria in general,” she said.
Dismantling barriers
The Vice President of the Student Union Government of the University of Calabar, Miss Zion Precious said that women “had been relegated to the background for too long and to enable them develop an interest in politics, there is a need to sharpen the minds of young girls. For instance, through GADA I was able to develop an interest in politics and today I am in the SUG of UNICAL. At our level, we hold symposia for students and make them understand that women have much to offer politically.”
The Programme Manager of WVL Nigeria Project in GADA, Nnenna Ugbor explained that the concern is to ensure that the stakeholders take ownership and collectively synergise to dismantle barriers to inclusivity in political leadership and decision-making.
“As the project draws to a close, we need women to sustain the gains for increased participation. It is also important to be very strategic, collectively contributing to the dismantling of barriers and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in the political sphere and leadership in Cross River State.
“So, with these strides, we are hopeful that the leadership space will churn out more women to take the lead in all spheres of decision-making,” she added.
Emmanuel Ukoh
Comments are closed.