In the words of Michelle Bachelet, head of UN, former President and Defence Minister, “For me, a better democracy is a democracy where women do not only have the right to vote and to elect but to be elected”,
It is on the above submission, that it has become imperative, for the People’s Democratic Party’s flag bearer in the 2023 election, Prof. Uche Eleazer Ikonne, to pick a woman as his running mate or better still, deputy in the general election come 2023.
In all fairness, women have distinguished themselves in various climes and aspects of human endeavour and are further seen as rock of Gibraltars, as well as voices to be reckoned with in politics and other spheres. Come to think of it, women in various families today, have supported their husbands financially, wisdom wise, among others.
No wonder it is being said that ” behind every successful man, there is a woman”. A woman doing what one may ask? Of course, playing advisory role, praying for the husband as well as being supportive in other areas that one cannot ordinarily identify.
The distinguishing attributes of former Nigerian Finance Minister during ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, singled her out and paved the way for future laurels. If not that she was given the opportunity to make input in the governance of the country, nobody would have realised the endowments deposited in women regarding governance.
What about the likes of Former Minister of Education during ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Mrs. Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria, late Dora Nkem Akunyili among others, who served diligently and today has continued to receive accolades.
The truth remains that our society still needs to have the likes of the aforementioned to contribute their own quota towards the development of the country and particularly Abia State, which is our focus.
It is also pertinent to mention the contributions of Dame Virginia Etiaba, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State in 2006. If such opportunity that resulted in the impeachment of the then Governor Peter Obi, did not present itself, nobody would have appreciated the qualities of the former Proprietress who resigned her position to be the Deputy Governor of the State.
In sincerity, Abia needs to tow this line, and the only way it can be done, is for the PDP flag bearer in the State, Prof Uche Ikonne, an academic, who has had women work under him before assuming the status he has today, to heed this call, and pick a woman within his party to assist him take Abia to the promised land.
There is no doubt this will gladden the hearts of many women in the State and beyond as they have always demanded 35 if not 40 percent affirmative action for women. The PDP flag bearer, Prof. Ikonne can re-write the wrongs of past administration by giving women a voice by choosing one of their own come 2023 as running mate.
Buchi Ogbonna
Writes from Umuahia.
