Ahead of the by election in Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency, the All Progressives Congress National Women Leader, Dr.(Mrs) Mary Alile has appealed to the leadership and the entire members of the party to field a female candidate for the interest of the women folks.
Dr Alile in a statement on Monday in Abuja and personally signed by her, said that deriving from her avowed commitment to promoting the interest of the womenfolk and advocacy for gender equity within the APC and the Nigerian political landscape, she conscientiously make the request, having observed the virtual non-representation of women among those elected at the 2023 general elections, to represent Ondo State at the National Assembly.
The statement reads: "The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, and, in particular, Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency, to seriously consider nominating a female candidate for the Constituency by-election, which will soon come up as a result of the vacancy created by the exit of Hon. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo, who has been appointed as the Minister of Interior by His excellency. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
"Interestingly, all those elected to represent their respective constituencies in Ondo: State at the House of Representatives-nine of them are men. Of this number, the APC won eight seats. It is pertinent to note that no woman was nominated as a candidate at the party primaries, prior to the general election. This apparently suggests that women were marginalized in the selection process of the party at the last House of Representatives Primaries.
"This situation, which may not be peculiar to Ondo State, seemingly negates our party's claim to advancing female gender sensitivity and equity.
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"At any rate, as fate would have it, a vacancy now exists for the party in Akoko North East/North West to correct this inequitable situation. It is on the basis of this opportunity that I earnestly appeal to the critical stakeholders in the Constituency and State to give women the deserved chance to represent the Party at the by-election, and the Federal Constituency, after the general election. This is the only way that we can truly assert the relevance of our proclamation of gender equity and sensitivity.
"While I hope that the party in Ondo State accedes to this request for correcting the present imbalance, which weighs heavily against the women of Ondo State APC and the State in general. I want to assure of the determination of my office to give all the support necessary to actualizing the objective of giving women fair treatment in every aspect of participation in the APC.
"Meanwhile, I wish to state that we are monitoring situations in all the states, to see the ones that are not gender friendly in political considerations. We are equally geared up for the task of challenging such situations. God helping us, just as our dear father and President, his excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has assured Nigerians of a Renewed Hope, so we wish a Renewed Hope for equity for the APC and Nigerian women, as far as political inclusivity is concemod
"It is on this hope of optimism, I, once again, call on the APC in Akoko North East/North West of Ondo State to give a woman a chance to contest the forthcoming Federal Constituency by-election, and to represent them at the House of Representatives."