By Thompson Yamput
The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday tasked women to use their massive population to make a statement in Nigeria’s politics and development.
Dr Gabriel Longpet, the Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), gave the charge in Lokoja at a townhall meeting with women and Person’s With Disabilities (PWDs).
He wondered why the women in spite of their population are nowhere near leadership positions either in elective positions or within political parties leadership.
“Many of you who have been following events as it relates to INEC and some of the reports we have been releasing, you will understand that majority of the registered voters in this country are women.
“Yet, when you look at the political actors, you hardly see women involved either as candidates for elective positions or holding cogent positions within political parties or others wise.
“Looking at that angle, some people will argue that it’s cultural or religious, but I beg to disagree. We are all human beings and citizens of Nigeria.
“If every adult female has the right to register to vote, why won’t they have the opportunity to participate actively in that process that will bring about leadership?
“Looking at it now that we are in this process trying to elect a leader, the governor that will take over the leadership of the state come Nov. 11, INEC can’t just turn her back on that vast group of people, who has also become a marginalised group.
“We want you, women, to actively participate in bringing about our desired political development.
“Therefore, I am not surprised that the implementation of the framework for the gender inclusiveness for the commission is being manifested by your presence here today,” he said.
Longpet said that INEC could not afford to neglect that group of people, who are the majority of the registered voters on its own register, hence their invitation for the townhall meeting.
He charged them not to fold up or hold on any question or those information they have always wanted to hear, but ask for answers to enable them go back to their localities and sensitise all other groups.
“The essence of this forum is to enable you express your minds, to get those necessary information that they can get back to their localities with to know their rights as citizens of not only Nigeria but of Kogi state,” he said.
The REC added: “You should pass the message round as citizens, as we make arrangements for all other groups, whether PWDs or whatever nature, as excluded groups, young men and women.
“Our youths should never been seen as those who can only be recruited as political thugs to disrupt the process but be seen as people who are actively participating and leading the way for our political development in this country.
“Therefore, as women groups and people who have been recognised as marginalised group of people, show the world that given the opportunity, you will prove the public wrong.
“Take what you can from this discussion and when you go back try and educate the vast number of people in the localities who are very enthusiastic about the political process, but have no idea on how to go about it. This is an opportunity for you to take the message back to them.”
Also speaking at INEC Voters Education Providers’ One Day Capacity Building Programme in Lokoja on Wednesday, the REC said voter education has been taken so serious to appeal to Kogi residents’ senses against any form of violence during the upcoming election.
Longpet said “as we prepare for the Nov. 11 governorship election, INEC has a responsibility as election manager to plan and implement the process toward its success for the good of the state.
“This is because it’s not on that Nov. 11 that things will happen. A lot of things happened before that day and it will be fool hardy for any organisation to ignore certain groups in the community, who are very crucial to its success.
“We believe that without the right information cascading from the top down to the grassroots in a manner people will understand, there will be no successful election.
“Election is not just for the people to come and cast their votes but there is need for them to know the process . When I get to the polling unit what do I do or what is expected of me? Who and who is expected to work with me to ensure I have a pleasant experience on Nov. 11?
“As we recognise your central roles and responsibilities either as faith groups, youth groups or women groups and all other occupational groups, whom we understand have a role to play in the election process, do ensure that we have a successful election which can build on the nation’s political development,” he urged.
Earlier, the Kogi INEC Voter Education and Publicity Officer, Mr Haliru Haruna, explained that the programme was aimed at empowering them with information for others within their localities for a peaceful, credible and successful election.
Haruna said: “INEC can’t do all of these on its own, but relies on people who are in positions that can be able to pass all these information to various segments of our society for attitudinal change toward election.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the the participants at the programme include representatives of CAN, JNI, NBA, PWDs, CSOs, women and youths groups. NAN
