2019 elections: Women demand more political slots

Ahead of 2019 general elections, women have called for political parties to allow more females emerge as candidates in the forthcoming primaries to give them better chance and increase their involvement in politics and governance.

The women made this assertion during a rally held at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour party secretariats during the week. This was organised the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in conjunction with National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Held simultaneously in Lagos, Kaduna, Adamawa, Enugu, Jigawa and Anambra states, the women also appealed for more female aspirants to emerge in the primaries while drumming up support for the emergence of female aspirants ahead of party’s primaries, especially at the governorship level, state and national assemblies.

Founding Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi noted that women have been in the back-seat for too long and things are not getting any better and believes women can make a difference in terms of addressing the myriad of problems we have in this country.

“These demands are for peace, progress and development for Nigeria. Women have proven themselves across the world that they can do great things. Look at Angela Merkel of Germany and Theresa May of Britain who were in Nigeria recently. I think women have passed that stage where our abilities should be doubted by anyone.”

At the PDP and Labour Party secretariats, the party leaders assured that their political parties would encourage more women in next year elections by ensuring that female candidates are featured for national and state assemblies elections.