The first lady of Ondo state. Betty Akeredolu, has demanded that only women be given the opportunity to serve as deputy governors in Nigeria.
Akeredolu took the decision in response to the lack of female politicians who were successful in her home state, Imo state’s last general election.
Ms. Akeredolu criticized the exclusion of women from nearly all spheres of society, including politics, in a statement that was made public.
The statement read;
“Women have been made the endangered species because of their gender. Nothing is left to their benefit, ranging from the families, politics, churches, economy and what have you. Take a look at the just concluded Imo state house of assembly election, no woman was elected of the 27 members of the assembly. The three senatorial seats in Imo state were won by men.
Women should be given a chance to contribute to the country’s political growth. In fact, they should be at the decision-making table of the nation. Enough is enough! Enough of this boys brigade lineup in Nigeria’s political landscape. It is killing our nation. We should not continue undermine the powers of women in effecting great changes.
Go and check any institution that is manned by a woman; there must a difference. Evidence of women driving this country to a greater height abound. Look at the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is currently the director-general of World Trade Organisation ( WTO), the late Dora Akunyili, and of course the legendary Chimammanda Ngozi Adichie. These are great women of substance who have the wherewithal to effect change.
We demand that the deputy governorship slots of all the 36 states in Nigeria be exclusively reserved for women so that they can also have a voice like the men.”
