By Bevelyn Ehia, Abakaliki
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ebonyi state chapter Friday called on governorship candidates of political parties in the state to pick women as their running mate.
Saying that the state has capable women that can fit into the position and performed very well.
Chairperson of the Association, Comrade Nkechinyere Oginyi disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abakaliki.
She noted that women filling the position will serve the quest for equity, fairness and justice being demanded by women.
She said, “Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) Ebonyi state chapter calls on governorship candidates of various political parties in Ebonyi to pick women as running mates.
“This call became necessary in the interest of equity, fairness, and justice.
“As critical stakeholders, NAWOJ Ebonyi makes bold to say that Nigeria cannot be advocating for an inclusive society when all gender are not given equal opportunity to access political power to contribute to nation-building.
“The time to show sincerity to an inclusive society has come and we urge all gubernatorial candidates in Ebonyi State, to pick women as their running mates in the 2023 governorship election.
“There is no gain in saying the obvious, that women are nation builders and empowering a woman, is empowering a whole nation.
“We have had notable women who were either appointed or elected to head different offices and they all distinguished themselves in their various endeavors.”
While Oginyi commended governor David Umahi for empowering women in his administration, she called on the masses to obtain the voter’s card and participate in the forthcoming elections.
“NAWOJ Ebonyi, however, commends the governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, for running a government where women are given prominent positions in the state.
“He is the only governor that has the highest number of women in his state executive council.
“The only governor that has a woman as the Chairman, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON).
He has given women a voice in the state, as he has also empowered many.
“However, women deserve more, which is why we are calling on all gubernatorial candidates in various political parties in the state to give women the opportunity to contribute more to the development of Ebonyi State.
The Chairperson called on the masses to get their permanent voter’s cards to vote for the candidate of their choices in the general election.