ABUJA – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged women to actively participate in the forthcoming 2015 general election.
Mr Davidson Aminu, the Acting Deputy Director, Political and Civil Education in the agency gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Aminu said that Nigerian women needed to be empowered to participate actively in the democratic process and governance.
He said that over 50 per cent of the electorate at any given election was women, adding that only few of them occupied top positions in government.
“Nigerian women constitute over 50 per cent of the electorate at any given election; it is therefore not enough for a woman to only cast her vote.
“She should also be able to seek elective positions, after all, the constitution of Nigeria allows for equal participation in the electoral process.
“We have already had conferences in all the zones to educate women on their electoral rights,’’ he said.
Aminu urged women to surmount any obstacle that could hinder their active and positive participation in the political activities of the country.
“All eligible women should start the process by registering as members of any political party of their choice in order to have legitimacy to participate in party activities and governance.
“If women are empowered, it automatically translates to empowerment of the nation.
“We have had stakeholders’ forum in all the six geo-political zones of the country to enlighten and encourage Nigerians to do the right thing; go out and vote.
“Participants at the forum included traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups, youth organisations, INEC, political parties and security agencies.
“NOA’s message to the people will continue to be that they should do the right thing to ensure non violence, free and credible electoral process,’’ he said.
Mike Omeri
