By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Former Governor of Rivers State and Vice Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barrister Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has said that the struggle to change the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2027 depends largely on women.
Amaechi said this on Wednesday at the unveiling of ADC National Women League Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The former Minister of Aviation recalled that the fight for the liberation of South Africa was greatly done by women.
According to him, “The reason is, any time men came out, South African whites will kill them. But if you bring out women, if you kill only two, international community will come out.
“So the struggle to take away the APC from government is 90 percent dependent on our women,” he said.
Anarchist recalled that when the All Progressives Congress (APC) wanted to remove the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from government in 2015, “We brought out the women. In every state we went to, women were in front.
“We spoke to them, we met with them at night, and we made sure that we told them that if they did not come out to vote, we would not win. And they came out. We fought the war, and we won”, he said.
The former Governor accused the APC of paupurising Nigerians, stating that when he served in late President Muhammadu Buhari government, the number of out of school children was between 10 to 12 million.
“Today, there are 20 million out of school,” he stated, and said that 80 percent of them are from the north.
Amaechi reasoned that if all the women in the north should come out to vote and defend their vote, APC would be removed from government in 2027.
He commended the women for organising the programme, and charged them to go to their wards to mobilise voters for the ADC, and assured them of the support of the presidential campaign council.
His words, “We know that we will get to the villa, and your reaction clearly shows that because you are the first to be impacted by bad government, the women, the children, you suffer more.
“I’m happy that in that spirit, you have reasoned to lead the charge to make sure that this present administration is decapitated and thrown out of the villa,” Amaechi stated.
Also speaking at the event, wife of the ADC presidential candidate, Hajiya Titi Atiku-Abubakar, urged the women not to allow anybody to intimidate them from voting for the party.
“Women, you should not be shy. Don’t let anybody to intimidate you. Don’t allow them to come and tell you or to scare you away. It is democracy. Democracy is for the people and by the people. So we have to take it,” she said.
Hajia Titi Abubakar decried the cost of living in the country, and blamed it on the policies of the ruling party.
Her words, “Most of our children are not in school because the cost of living is so expensive,” she said, and urged them to sell their votes during the election.
“Don’t let them come and buy you food. This rice they are giving, how long is it going to last? Even if they give you N50,000, how long is this N50,000 going to last?
“Yousaw on television (and) read on social media, the way Osun was to be taken by force. They collected their monies and they refused to vote them.
“So, I implore you, women, go there and fight for your rights. Go there and fight for your children. Go there and fight for generation yet unborn. If we don’t do this, the generation coming, it will be a curse on us.
“Enough of the deceit. They are just deceiving us with all these policies. And they will tell us it is going to be better. When is it going to be better? Is it when we are in our graves?
“So, women, arise and shine, because this is an opportunity for the women. And we have to make the best use of this opportunity,” she challenged them.
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