Politics
Forum Decries Exclusion Of Women From Politics
The continued exclusion of women from politics and governance at all levels has been condemned by participants during a training on gender based civic and citizenship education organised recently at Ulakwo in Etche Local Government Area.
The training, which was organised for women of Rivers East Senatorial District by Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, CEHRD, with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands, Abuja was aimed at spurring women to know their rights and responsibilities as active citizens of the society.
According to the forum, women have the potentials to make the society great if they are involved in governance at all levels. Unfortunately, women have abandoned politics and governance for the men, believing it is men’s affair.
The participants agreed that women hardly contribute to discussions on issues of governance or politics. Even when they manage to join politics, they consign themselves to subservient roles rather than aspiring for leadership positions.
“They are comfortable with women leader position where they mobilise women and share clothing materials and other items to them,” they noted.
Lady Doris Onyeneke, a gender activist who facilitated the training, attributed the apathy of women towards politics to age long gender discrimination and stereotyping which ascribed leadership roles to the men while placing the women in the kitchen.
“Over the years, it became accepted, by both men and women that women have no business with leadership,” she said, adding that women are as well endowe with leadership acumen as the male folks.
‘‘They should therefore begin to unlock their potentials by joining politics or by aspiring for leadership positions,” she said and encouraged women to begin to participate in decisions making that affect their lives at all levels of governance.
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On his part, Styvn Obodoekwe, CEHRD Programme Director, while declaring the training open, stated that women’s apathy towards governance was worrisome.
He said when governance issues are raised, women often behaved as if it does not concern them.
He encouraged women to step out and join politics, saying that as citizens, it was their fundamental human right to participate in governance as they also have the right to associate with political associations of their choice.
Women have been silent for too long and that has given way for bad governance, which unfortunately affect women most,” he said.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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