Essential Ndubuisi
By Tony Ezike
DG Anambra State PDP New Media
The Chairman of Anambra State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Hon Sir Ndubisi Nwobu has called on Anambra women to consider exclusive partnership with the party in view of recent resolution of the party which provides ample opportunity for extensive participation of women in partisan politics.
This wake-up call was contained in his address during an interaction with a coalition of 27 women organizations known as COALITION OF WOMEN FOR CREDIBLE, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS at the party secretariat yesterday March 29th, 2021. The delegation was ably led by Barr Oge Ekweozor.
PIF observed from the position paper presented to the state executives of the party during the visit that the group are is seeking to address some political anomalies through advocacy and partnership by engaging relevant authorities like INEC, as well as concerned political organizations.
Women for women frowned on the unnecessary delay of the Independent National Electoral Commission to set the machinery rolling for a credible gubernatorial election despite the urgent need for early preparation in view of the election, noting that similar attitude accounted for the disenfranchisement of a large number of women and youths during the 2017 governorship election.
The group expressed concerns over the inability of the electoral umpire to kick-start registration of voters, sensitization of the citizens on their rights and responsibility through voter education, both terrestrially and in the media. However, they highlighted important steps that INEC should take to effect a free and credible election come November 6th, 2021 as follows:
1. To start voter registration immediately.
2. Stop delaying the needed preparation for the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
3. Address the challenges of women’s disenfranchisement.
4. Need to update voter register immediately, and
5. Extension of polling units to markets, parks and prisons.
Similarly, the group requested the state leadership of PDP to do the flowing:
1. Challenge gender based violence in Nigerian politics.
2. Challenge violence against women in politics.
3. Challenge inadequate inclusion of women in politics.
4. Challenge gender biases in Nigerian politics
5. And most importantly, facilitate the adoption of a female running mate for any chosen candidate in the November 6th gubernatorial election.
The state chairman of PDP commended the group for what general described as a deep sense of patriotism, considering that their views and decisions were evidently based on the need for repositioning the state to her pride of place. He assured them that the party will deliberate on their position paper despite the fact that preparations for the forthcoming election has taken center stage already.
Furthermore, Hon Nwobu informed the group that two of their kind, namely Distinguished Senator Uche Ekwunife and Barr Chidi Onyemelukwe are already in the race for the forthcoming PDP primaries, adding that the female aspirants could be more than that before the closure of form issuance.
