At least 40 female candidates of various political parties converged in Ilorin the capital of Kwara State with the aim of winning the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The women spoke about their readiness to take the baton of leadership in political offices during the two-day Mentoring and Coaching Workshop for Women Candidates in Kwara/Kogi. The workshop was organized by the Women Radio and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), supported by UN Women and the Government of Canada.
While talking after the workshop, the Action Alliance Deputy Governorship candidate in Kwara State, Victoriai Bamidipo, expressed her happiness and satisfaction on the programme.
She said; “This workshop is so interesting because it enlightens women, especially we, the candidates to know most of the things we didn’t understand before. I now understand that gender is not all about male or female.
“We also learnt that we should work with our agents, which we often take for granted. We are also given training on before, during and post-election strategies. As well as knowing the constitutional guidelines relating to our political careers.”
She stated further that women now know what to fight for and what not to, so they wouldn’t be engaging in making wrong accusations.
Also, the NNPP House of Assembly candidate, representing Ogori-Mangogo Constituency in Kogi State, Hon. Agela Amao, urged women to come out massively and participate in politics.
She said: “Women can do it better because we feel the pain more than men. We know what is happening in Nigeria today. We know the weak points and how best to approach issues better.
“This is coming even as the federal government passed the new Electoral Act, which guarantees to improve the level-playing ground for everyone, as well as improve women’s fortune in politics.”
During her presentation, Emmanuella Azu, of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center revealed that the workshop was the 5th of the 7th states taking place.
Azu said: “We’ve earlier conducted the training in Ekiti, Ebonyi, Calabar, Borno and Kwara is the fifth state. However, we have a partnering state, Kogi in this one. The whole essence of this is to have female representation at the end of 2023 general election. We look forward to seeing more women in parliament, and at various elective positions, not just appointments.”
While responding to questions on how women could make a difference, Mrs Azu said: “Having more women in the parliament means we would have more gender-sensitive laws and sustainability development for the country.
“Any system that is skewed towards any gender is actually problematic for the country.”
In his lecture, Development Expert and facilitator at the event, Mr Jide Ojo, explained that the new Electoral Act will benefit women the most. He cited a case of a guaranteed fair election.
While speaking on the theme: “Electoral Landscape and Framework, Ojo said: “All shenanigans practices done by men to religate women won’t be possible any longer under the new Electoral Act. Even, Returning Officers, unlike previously, he doesn’t have absolute power to declare the winner anymore. INEC can be petitioned and issues duly investigated.
“With the use of electronic voting, you can follow up on the votes cast from INEC website and do the parallel tabulation to establish evidence.
“There is need to encourage women candidates to deploy reliable agents to polling units that can challenge misconduct.
“You are also to improve your social capital, to be known as a person of integrity, be pro-less privileged people, be relevant in your local community as well as in your religions organizations.”
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