The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday challenged women to use their massive population to make a statement in Nigeria’s politics and development.
Dr. Gabriel Longpet, the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), gave the charge in Lokoja at a town hall meeting with women and Person’s With Disabilities (PWDs).
He wondered why the women in spite of their population are nowhere near leadership positions either in elective positions or within political parties’ leadership.
“Many of you who have been following events as it relates to INEC and some of the reports we have been releasing, you will understand that the majority of the registered voters in this country are women.
“Yet, when you look at the political actors, you hardly see women involved either as candidates for elective positions or holding cogent positions within political parties or otherwise.
“Looking at that angle, some people will argue that it’s cultural or religious, but I beg to disagree. We are all human beings and citizens of Nigeria.”
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“If every adult female has the right to register to vote, why won’t they have the opportunity to participate actively in that process that will bring about leadership?
“Looking at it now that we are in this process trying to elect a leader, the governor that will take over the leadership of the state come Nov. 11, INEC can’t just turn her back on that vast group of people, who has also become a marginalised group.
“We want you, women, to actively participate in bringing about our desired political development.
“Therefore, I am not surprised that the implementation of the framework for the gender inclusiveness for the commission is being manifested by your presence here today,” he said.
He charged them not to fold up or hold on any question or that information they have always wanted to hear, but ask for answers to enable them go back to their localities and sensitise all other groups.:
“The essence of this forum is to enable you to express your minds, to get the necessary information that they can get back to their localities to know their rights as citizens of not only Nigeria but of Kogi state,” he said.
The REC added: “You should pass the message round as citizens, as we make arrangements for all other groups, whether PWDs or whatever nature, as excluded groups, young men and women.
“Our youths should never be seen as those who can only be recruited as political thugs to disrupt the process but be seen as people who are actively participating and leading the way for our political development in this country.
“Therefore, as women groups and people who have been recognised as a marginalised group of people, show the world that given the opportunity, you will prove the public wrong.
Also speaking at INEC Voters Education Providers’ One Day Capacity Building Programme in Lokoja on Wednesday, the REC said voter education has been taken so seriously to appeal to Kogi residents’ senses against any form of violence during the upcoming election.
Earlier, the Kogi INEC Voter Education and Publicity Officer, Mr Haliru Haruna, explained that the programme was aimed at empowering them with information for others within their localities for a peaceful, credible and successful election.
Haruna said: “INEC can’t do all of these on its own, but relies on people who are in positions that can be able to pass all these information to various segments of our society for attitudinal change toward election.”