Don’t sell your votes, Jonathan tells women

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The First lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, has urged Nigeria women not to exchange their voter card with money from any politician in the 2015 general election.

The first lady who stated this in Ilorin while inaugurating Kwara State chapter of Women for Change Initiative and Development, urged the women to ensure that their votes count.

Patience Jonathan who urged Nigeria women to pray hard toward restoration of peace in the country and end of insurgent in the North-East of Nigeria, said her NGO was established to ensure women and children becomes agent of change and peace across the country.

She added that President Goodluck Jonathan has effected 35 percent political positions for women in Nigeria, stressing that he should be supported and voted for in the forthcoming 2015 general election.

At the Emir of Ilorin palace, Mrs Jonathan, who spoke during a homage to the emir of Ilorin, Allhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, said her passion for the wellbeing of Nigerian women informed her commitment to press for the implementation of 35 per cent affirmative action for women, which according to her, had been observed by the administration of president Goodluck Jonathan.

The first lady however said that she would continue to ask for more representation and empowerment for women.

While responding, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, commended the first lady for her initiative and prayed for the success of the programme in the state.

The first lady later distributed empowerment materials, including grinding machines, dryers, sewing machines and food items to thousands of women drawn from across the 16 local government area of the state at the state stadium complex Ilorin.