All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday urged women in Lagos State to use their numerical strength among registered voters to ensure the party’s victory in the July 22 local government election.
Tinubu, who was represented by the state’s APC Chairman, Dr Henry Ajomale, spoke at a public lecture and awards programme organised by the party’s National Women Forum in the Southwest.
He said statistics showed more women registered in the state than men.
According to him, this indicates a great commitment and loyalty among the women.
Tinubu said: “This is why the Pparty respects, recognises and values women for their role in the progress and the success of the party.
“We are calling on our women to once again do what they do best by going out en masse on July 22 to vote for our great party.”
Also, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode urged women to rally support for all APC candidates in the council polls.
Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, urged them to turn out massively and exercise their constitutional rights at the polling booths in favour of APC.
He said: “You should see this event as a call to duty as our great party will be fielding candidates for election as chairmen and councillors at local government areas and local council development areas (LCDAs) on July 22.”
The governor said the commitment and loyalty of women to the cause of the APC, especially in the 2015 general elections was worthy of commendation.
Ambode said: “Women were counted at the forefront of the tremendous change that our party has brought to governance in Nigeria and Lagos State.
“Your contributions and efforts have translated to the resounding successes registered by our party in ensuring that the benefits of democracy impact on the lives of the people.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central at the National Assembly, urged more women to get involved in politics so they could occupy more elective positions in the country.
Also, Mrs Dupe Olaiya, who delivered a lecture, titled: Women, Let’s Lead the Progress, urged party leaders to consider and encourage more women for elective positions.
According to her, women turn out in their large numbers to campaign and vote during elections but are not well represented in the nation’s polity.
APC National Women Leader in the Southwest Mrs Kemi Nelson said the event was to celebrate and recognise women in the local government areas, especially those who had been working hard to promote the ideals of APC in the state and country.
She said: “These women toil in sunshine and in rain to campaign, mobilise and vote to promote and uplift the APC at all times.
“We are here to honour these unnoticed women in politics so they can redouble their efforts and inspire others to ensure the progress of the party.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 52 women were given awards of appreciation for their contributions to the party.