One of Labour Party governorship aspirants for Edo 2024 gubernatorial election, Amb. Princess Asha Okojie-Odigie has advocated for inclusivity devoid of marginalization within the party.
Okojie-Odigie stated this in a press release she made available to newsmen in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
She stated that after engaging with diverse stakeholders across the 18 local government areas of Edo State, she explained that her choice to abstain from purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination form was to amplify the voice of the voiceless within the party.
According to Okojie-Odigie, “After dedicating months to thoroughly covering all 18 local governments, engaging with diverse stakeholders, and passionately advocating for a better Edo State, my decision to abstain from collecting the expression of interest form after arriving Abuja was not because I couldn’t afford it but was a deliberate choice to amplify the voices of the voiceless and to safeguard against the potential future marginalization and disenfranchisement that often targets women, youths, and persons with disabilities. Additionally, it stood as a principled protest against the exorbitant costs associated with these forms, reaffirming my dedication to promoting inclusivity within the Labour Party.
“Furthermore, the revision of the previously free expression of interest form for women has brought to light a significant disparity within our own party. This development was deeply troubling, as it underscored a lack of consistency in our approach to inclusivity and fairness. While there were some concessions made regarding the nomination form following my advocacy efforts, the oversight concerning youths and persons with disabilities remained unsettling. “Additionally, the absence of clear implementation of party guidelines further emphasized the need for improvements in ensuring fairness and inclusivity within our political processes.”
The UN Ambassador reminded the party of the United Nations and World Bank recommendation as regards the inclusion of women in political spaces, government and political organizations to align with SDG’s goals.
“I wish to highlight the recommendations from the UN and the World Bank regarding women’s inclusivity in political spaces. These recommendations have been embraced as part of an action plan by the government and political organizations to align with the SDGs, particularly Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women.
Initiatives such as the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles and the World Bank’s Gender Equality Strategy provide actionable steps for promoting women’s participation in politics. Embracing these guidelines is essential for our party as we strive to create an inclusive environment where every woman and youth is heard and given due consideration.
“It is imperative for our party to adopt similar standards to ensure fairness and representation for all, and incumbent upon us to ensure that it remains true to its foundational principles of inclusivity and fairness. This entails not only making forms accessible and affordable to everyone but also finding sustainable ways to finance the party’s activities without compromising our values. I believe that all members should have access to political processes, regardless of financial status, to ensure genuine representation.
Princess Okojie-Odigie, who is the CEO, AfriQtalk Consult, stated that her commitment remains unwavering towards building a robust and sustainable party that celebrate the diversity of its members and foster inclusion for all.
“I emphasize my dedication to the promotion of the One Edo Agenda for Prosperity, Equity, Development, and Unity (PEDU), rooted in the spirit of nationhood. I will pledge my support to candidates who embody these values and have the ability to unify. It’s imperative that we strive to achieve gender parity in Nigeria. For instance, women constituted 61.3 percent of the Rwandan parliament (lower or single house), making it the country with the highest share of women in parliament worldwide.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to all who have believed in and stood by me throughout this journey. While my gubernatorial bid may have reached its conclusion, the mission for a fairer, more inclusive society persists. My commitment to fostering equity and opportunity remains unwavering. I’m profoundly thankful for the outpouring of support I have received, and I pledge to continue striving for a future where every individual, irrespective of their background, possesses a voice and the agency to shape our collective destiny for the betterment of our community and our state as a whole,” the statement read.
