About 250 women who are gunning for various elective positions under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have met at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to strategise on ways to realize their ambitions starting from securing the party tickets.
At least, one of them, Teriela Oliver Diana, is bidding for the presidential ticket while the rest are contesting positions ranging from state houses of assembly through the national assembly to the governorship in their states.
The meeting, which came under the office of the PDP National Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, drew aspirants from all parts of the country and other senior female party stakeholders.
Effah-Attoe, who disclosed the number of female aspirants, stressed the need for them to remain focused and worked assiduously to achieve their objectives.
In her remark, former PDP National Woman Leader, Josephine Anenih, advised the female aspirants to respect the local zoning arrangement in their areas or they will never get the ticket.
She also stressed the need for them to work with political gatekeepers such as state governors and state party chairmen if they are to make any headway just as they must not rely on the 35% Affirmative Action to get more women into elective positions.
Anenih said, “If you are not qualified and nobody knows you in your place, you won’t get the seat you are looking for.
“Some of you, if we ask, when did you last attend your ward meeting or state meeting? And you now want to be a House of Representatives member or Governor? It’s a tall order.
“The 35 per cent affirmative action we are clamouring for is not magic. We must work hard for it. Don’t give PDP a bad name by saying women are marginalized. If you are qualified you will be given a chance.”
On respecting party structure, Anenih counselled that the women must realize that without working with them, they may not get what they desire, saying: “Earlier, I gave an example of an aspirant who said she was not going to consult with her state Chairman. You see, she has missed it.
“You must learn to involve your local leaders and recognise them. Even if the Chairman does not like you, there are people you know who he respects. Use them to get to him.
“We will continue pushing for women’s rights at national, state and local levels but you must do your part.”
She also told the women that they must be prepared to spend money as running for elections in the country remains capital intensive.
“You cannot win elections today without money. You need money to run your campaigns, consult with the right people and fund your candidacy,” she added.
Also speaking, former Senate Majority Whip, Stella Omu, warned the aspirants not to rely on the Affirmative policy but to work to get to their desired positions on their own.
She advised them to attend political meetings regularly as part of the decision-making process.
In her address, another former PDP National Woman Leader, Inna Ciroma, observed that the men are not ready to yield grounds to their female counterparts, urging the female aspirants therefore to support themselves to get to positions.
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