March 11: Female Governorship Candidates are better alternative to be voted for- Akwa Ibom SDP Candidate
By Emmanuel Ufon
Akwa Ibom State Gubernatorial Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Mrs. Emem Udoh has said a better alternative is in the offing for Nigeria if female candidates contesting for the governorship position in different states of the country are voted into office in the March 11, 2023, general election.
Mrs. Udoh made the commendation recently in Abuja during the consultative dialogue between Women In Politics (Female
Candidates) And the Private Sector On Enhancing Women’s Participation And
Representation In The 2023 General Elections.
The event was organized by the Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ), in partnership with UN Women Nigeria
Country Office with
the overall purpose of fostering a partnership dialogue between women in politics,
precisely female Candidates for the 2023 Governorship elections and women in the private sector and the media to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas,
knowledge and strategies to strengthen the political campaign of women running for the 2023 general elections.
Addressing journalists at the event, she assured the electorates of the leadership quality embedded in female candidates of different political parties in different states that attended the event.
She added that the reason female candidate will do well is that they are mothers and with motherly sympathy, they will have zero tolerance for unemployment in their respective states and Nigeria at large.
The Guber Candidate of the oil-rich state said she will collaborate when voted into office as the governor of Akwa Ibom state with relevant stakeholders, other female governors, and the incoming president of Nigeria to float a program that will turn the economy around and attain a minimum wage of N100,000 monthly, as well as make unemployment a thing of the past, as fresh graduates of universities and polytechnics will be put on an allowance of N100,000 from the day they leave the higher institution.
“All University and polytechnics graduates without work, after NYSC, on an N100,000 a month on a Green Wall Project whose financing will come from abroad and savings from reduced graft in the system. This green ecosystem revitalization army will be at work between 8 am and Noon saving the planet and from Noon to 4 pm a reskilling initiative that will equip them with vocational skills that will both make them self-employable or fit into skills required in the industrial parks based on Factor endowments of the six zones of the federation from which values chains into global markets are projected,” she promised.
Speaking earlier, the governorship candidate of Action People’s Party (APP) in Delta, Mrs.
Annabel Cosmos while unveiling her agenda
said women have not been given the privilege to improve their states since the return to democracy in 1999.
Mrs. Cosmos said she will revamp the education, agriculture, and health sectors in Delta, adding that women can take up duties of governance if given the chance.
According to her, “They say what a man can do, a woman can do it better,” she said. Women should not be left in the kitchen, the kitchen is not our place; we can govern a state if allowed to serve.”
On her part, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Benue, Mrs. Roseline Chenge promised to industrialize and address security challenges in her state.
Mrs. Chenge, who expressed a willingness to adopt a modern agricultural system to sustain food security, said the state’s treasury will be effectively managed to boost revenue generation.
“If you are familiar with Benue state, [you will know] it needs industrialization with local governments in focus.
“Benue needs security, and as a mother, I have come out so that as an engineer, I can engage the most modern and sophisticated technology to provide security because my people are dying. The men have done well but women can do a better job.”
Similarly, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Jigawa, Mrs. Binta Umar said
Women empowerment and quality education will be her top priority when voted into office.
Speaking on the need for empowerment, she
said she is contesting to help in addressing the challenges of women and youths in the state.
“The women are always at the receiving end anytime there is one challenge or the other, likewise our young people.
“We have a lot of resources and we are farmers too, we want to use all these resources to make life better than what it is now.”
Furthermore, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abia State said the state has not achieved much since it was formed 31 years ago.
Mrs. Johnson-Ogbuneke, an orthopedic surgeon and human rights lawyer, said she will defend the rights of the citizens through quality education for children, better salaries for teachers, and the construction of good roads.
“There is no infrastructure in Abia, nothing to give the people a good life and when the youths of Nigeria protested back then in 2020, my heart was broken.
“When you look at what they said about the EndSARS, it applies to Abia state too. I felt it is time to make a difference in my fatherland.
“Don’t vote for me because I am a woman, vote for me because I am a capable woman. I am an orthopedic surgeon and also a human rights lawyer.
“I am coming to defend the rights of Abia people for quality education, good road; for the children to be well trained, for school teachers to have their salaries paid; pensioners have their gratuities and grants given to them and for Abia State to have an airport.”
She added that transforming the agriculture and health sectors is part of her plans for the people.
Toun Sonaiya, executive director of Women Radio, said peace will return to Nigeria If the 25 female governorship candidates are allowed to govern their states.
Sonaiya urged the media to report their vision until they are considered for elective positions across the country.
“Please continue to report then until something happens.
“Our women are ready and we should give them support and encouragement.”
Participants at the event included the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Kwara state, Deborah Jaiyeola, and the APM gubernatorial candidate for Lagos, Funmilayo Kupoluyi.