Patience Jonathan Urges Women to Contest and Vote for their Fellow Women in 2015 Elections
Patience Jonathan Urges Women to Contest and Vote for their Fellow Women in 2015 Elections
Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has challenged Nigerian women to stand up and contest for top positions in the 2015 general elections.
Jonathan, who was in Ibadan, Oyo state at the inauguration of the state secretariat of Women for Change and Development Initiative (WCDI) with the wife of Oyo State Governor, Florence Ajimobi; wife of Ondo State Olukemi Mimiko, and Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, also urged them to vote wisely and support women vying for positions.
She said she supported the WCDI because the organisation is committed to helping and uplifting women across all economy classes.
“This organisation provides an important platform where women can collectively strategise and chart a way forward for themselves and the nation. One way we have tried to impact on the lives of our women is by championing the implementation of the national gender policy on the 35 per cent representation of women in governance.
“This is to ensure that Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots, are carried along in the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Let me remind you that politics is around the corner. This offers women another opportunity to aspire to leadership positions and support fellow women in authority. Without women taking active part in decision-making, the goal of equity, development and peace cannot be achieved.
“I want to encourage women to seek political posts and vote wisely in the coming elections. Let us be united not only to vote credible candidates into office but also to contest for elective positions. You are allowed to contest, go to the grassroots and take part in politics. Come out en masse and register and vote women into top positions. Your watchword should be peace because that is what we need in Nigeria today.”
