Patience Jonathan, Nigeria’s First Lady, on Monday appealed to Nigerian women to re-elect her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, who is currently seeking a second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Though endorsed as the sole candidate of the party, there is the belief that Jonathan would be facing a tough election in 2015 if the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) fields Muhammadu Buhari, one of its aspirants.
Represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, who declared open a two-day National Conference on Women and Elections, with the theme: ‘Enhancing Opportunities for Women Candidates’, organised by the UNDP in collaboration with the Federal Ministry for Women Affairs in Abuja, Mrs. Jonathan asked that the women in the country should queue behind her husband arguing that among all the aspirants for the presidential election, only Jonathan has the capability to protect and defend their rights.
While lamenting the poor number of women in going into politics, she however asked women to turn out and compete with the men for elective positions.
She also appealed to the voters not to allow themselves swayed by other aspirants and eventual candidates adding that only her husband could guarantee the freedom of citizens of the country.
She added that it was time for Nigerian women to begin to appreciate and commend President Jonathan for all the good things he had done for the women folk adding that they should reward him with their votes.
She argued that the President has shown that he is not only gender sensitive but believes in the power and capacity of women to bring about change in the society.
“He has been doing his best to promote the interest of women in Nigeria. It is now time for us to show him our appreciation for all he has been doing as he seeks re-election,” she said.
She also commended Nigerian families who believe in educating their female children adding that it would help the country both politically and economically.
To her, such belief in the girl child and investment in their education are gratifying and “are pointers to the fact that in the nearest future, more women will be politically and economically independent.
“However, there is the need to create the enabling environment to enhance women active participation in all areas of development.
“We must as women begin to aggressively unite, network and build alliances across gender divide in order to secure meaningful change.
“Let the voices of women be heard loudly because we have the right to be heard and we have the right to participate fully in the socio-economic and political life of our various communities.
“I see this as another genuine effort to ensure that women do not only participate but compete favourably with their male counterparts in politics.
“This is particularly so when one considers the fact that the pace of advocacy around the world and women empowerment and gender equality is increasing rapidly. This trend has brought about global attention on issues of special interest that promote women rights.
“At the same time, it encourages the full participation by women in social, political and economic processes so that they can contribute to the development of their communities,” she said.
She added that this was why Nigeria has been canvassing vigorously for the implementation of the National Gender Policy on 35 percent Affirmative Action in line with the approval given by the Federal Executive Council in 2006.
