Abia: Residents of Abia and Imo, including prominent politicians, educationists, and technocrats, have called for collective action to promote women’s participation in politics.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the residents spoke in interviews in Umuahia and Owerri, emphasizing the crucial roles women play in politics. They highlighted that women offer quality representation and better resource management, which are critical to national development.
In Umuahia, Chief Sam Onuigbo, a former federal lawmaker and community leader, expressed the need for deliberate efforts to encourage women’s participation in politics. He shared his experience working with the women’s wing of his community development union for over 25 years, noting their success in project execution and resource management. Onuigbo lamented the lack of reserved seats for women in the country’s legislatures, stating that women should compete for these positions to bring about positive change.
Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, the Abia Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, argued that the 30 per cent Affirmative Action does not work in Nigeria due to the absence of reserved seats for women in parliaments. She called for collaboration between the government, civil society, and international organizations to create a more inclusive political landscape. Dr. Ego Udenze, a school proprietress, emphasized that women’s involvement in politics could address corruption and improve governance.
In Imo, respondents echoed similar sentiments, advocating for more inclusion of women in politics to promote gender equity. Mrs. Angela Nkwo-Akpolu, a former Deputy Governorship Candidate, suggested that active participation of women in politics would foster inclusion and progress. She highlighted the need for policies that support women’s roles and remove barriers to their political participation.
The call for greater women’s participation in politics is rooted in the belief that women bring unique qualities to leadership, such as empathy, collaboration, and a focus on education and health. As Nigeria ranks low globally in terms of women’s representation in parliament, there is a strong push for policies that reserve seats for women, thereby enriching the practice of democracy and promoting sustainable development.