Tasks women on resilience
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kogi Central in the 2023 general election, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has expressed concern that only two women have so far made it to the Senate of the coming 10th National Assembly.
In a statement, yesterday, to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD), she made case for the review of women’s participation in politics. She urged the Nigerian woman not to fade off but own her space no matter the odds.
According to her, though there is a temporary setback in her victory at the polls, she expressed confidence that the judiciary would deliver justice to allow her reclaim her mandate.
Eight women were elected senators in 2015, but Uche Ekwunife later lost her seat to Victor Umeh at the tribunal, reducing the number to seven, she noted.
Barring any change through the courts, the 10th Senate will have just three women in the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Ipalibo Banigo (PDP, Rivers West), Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos West) and Ireti Kingibe for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Labour Party (LP).
The unfolding scenario, she said, smacks of lip service to affirmative action as well as gender parity and equal opportunity in the country.
Her words: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it should be noted that only three women made it to the 10th Senate.
“We shall get our mandate back by God’s grace, but only three is shameful for our democracy, for our gender equity and representation.”
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Campaign Organisation had rejected the result of the Kogi Central senatorial election and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the results and declare her the rightful winner.
“Only this will ensure justice for the people of Kogi Central senatorial district,” she added.
According to her, the process was dogged by manipulation and doctoring of figures, cancellation of polling units where she won and invasion of many polling units by armed thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
She also wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, to review the declaration and return of candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Ohere, as winner of the February 25 senatorial election.
