Groups of civil society and women organizations in ONELGA have condemned in totality the ongoing anti-gender politics and needless negative discrimination against women in politics by some disgruntled politicians in Ndoni ONELGA, which particularly is targeted at one of the best, a woman aspiring for the position of executive chairman in the upcoming LGA election in the state, Mrs Stella Agada..
In a press conference organized by the ONELGA Women Progressive Forum (WPF) and the Ndoni Women Development Initiative (NWDPI), they decried the hue and cry by some political elements from the area who has made it there stock in trade to spread bad blood and insight the public against her candidacy.
Making a presentation on behalf of the groups, M/s Chika Onyebuenyi the President of ONELGA Women Progressive Forum said the clandestine moves by such individuals are not only condemnable but averse to the present global realities where the full and equitable participation of women in public office has become essential to building and sustaining strong and vibrant democracies.
According to statement released, Women’s political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace.
The release reads in part: “The continuous ploy by some few desperate politicians in ONELGA to distort the genuine and preferred mandate of the people are laughable because even the PDP constitution made it clear that women can vie for political position. According to a section of the constitution, it states that ‘if you are a woman and wants to contest you need to go back to your country home of birth, not where you are married. That Mrs Stella Agada is married outside ONELGA does not make her less ONELGAN. Mrs. Stella Agada is not only eligible to run for the post of the Local Government Chairman, but is one of the most qualified and credible based on her pedigree and record of her personal achievement , the one for ONELGA, Rivers state and Nigeria in general.
The same persons who have plunged our resources are the ones behind this melodrama to continue to hold our LGA hostage to their whims and caprices. ONELGA is one of the richest local government areas in the country, providing the resources required to keep this union Nigeria afloat, unfortunately her resources gotten from national and within has been plundered by successive government led by the men folk, consequently she has lost her glory. Hence our call for a change to the trend and the need to give a woman a shot at the chairmanship office to bring about the desired change and restore the lost glory we all clamour for ONELGA.
It is most significant to note that among the aspirant vying for that office, non is more Ndoni than Mrs Stella Agada, Her Father is Ndoni, Her Mother is Ndoni, Her Grand Father is Ndoni and even her Grand Mother is Ndoni then why the campaign of calumny and attempt to deny her the right of participation based on discrimination and anti – gender politics. As a group we cannot continue to keep quiet and allow these disgruntled anti gender few to undermine the democratic process and good governance she is about to bring to the table, and allow creation of democratic deficit in our LGA.
We are aware, and it is not in doubt that the full and equitable participation of women in public office is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies. Accordingly, the meaningful participation of women in national, local and community leadership roles has become an important focus of global development policy. It is painful to hear some persons question the decision for women to become political leaders, elected policymakers; or involved in all aspects of the political process. Women’s political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and more sustainable peace.
We therefore, call for gender inclusion in governance to compliment effort to improve social development. Women has continued to prove their integrity and commitment in public service, they have the greater ability to make a lasting difference when given the opportunity to participate in decision-making positions in public office. Hence, We the members of the ONELGA Women Progressive Forum (WPF) and the Ndoni Women Development Initiative (NWDPI) are strongly by this assertion condemning the clandestine move to truncate her seamless stride to victory.
We are strongly and unequivocally throwing our weight behind the candidacy of Mrs Stella Agada our mother , a neutral party in the quagmire that has engulfed our LGA and of course the vision of hope for our LGA as Chairman in the upcoming election and call on all disgruntled inciters to go back and peruse the rules of engagement before they come out for a contest,” the statement concludes.
