Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, a group of women has called on the two major political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to nominate females as their deputy governorship candidates.
The women, meeting for the first time at the NUJ press centre in Akure, emphasized the need for gender representation in political appointments, particularly in the formation of the next cabinet of the state.
The meeting, themed “Agitation for Gender Balance and Inclusiveness in Governance,” focused on securing a fair share of political offices, both elective and non-elective, for women.
In a communiqué issued and signed by the convener, Adebimpe Adeniyi, the group called for more gender-sensitive and all-inclusive government policies and programs.
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The communique read in part: “We must acknowledge that women have been nominated and elected as deputy governors in some states in Nigeria. In the South West, only Ondo State, which prides itself as the intellectual base of the region, is yet to provide an opportunity for a female deputy governor.”
“After extensive deliberation during the Inaugural Meeting, we have resolved and demanded the nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates of all participating political parties in the 2024 Governorship Election of Ondo State.”
Earlier, former commissioner for information in the state, Tola Awo, encouraged women in the state to acquire academic knowledge to qualify for elective and non-elective positions.
The women’s demands come shortly after a youth group, the Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN), demanded a youthful running mate under the age of 45.
