How women can effectively compete with men in politics – APC Chair, Ganduje

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said two major factors, including economy and legislation, will promote the capacity of women to compete with men in pursuit of political power.

Speaking yesterday at the national Secretariat of the party in Abuja when he received in audience the Progressives Sister’s Network (PSN), who paid him a courtesy visit Ganduje said these two factors are contemporary issues which when considered, will bolster women participation in politics.

“You have mentioned one issue that we need to look into, that’s women participation, especially in elective positions, is declining. So there is a need for research for it.

“But, from a layman’s view or from those who are active in politics, there are two major factors:

Firstly, “Economic participation: if economic participation amongst women is high, then the notion of ‘no woman, no nation’ will feature well, because you will be able to compete with men at the grassroot level.

“I’m not saying that politics is money-bag, but equally the same, if you have finance you know how you can organise your campaigns because it requires money for logistics, publication and all of that.

“So if women are empowered, especially when they are given skills so that they can participate actively, then they will be able to compete for elective positions in the country.

“Another factor that would be considered is through Legislation. If political parties by electoral law are being forced to provide women candidates, then they have no option than to provide them. And by doing so, that’ll increase women participation in the election. These are contemporary issues I think politicians should be able to consider”, Ganduje said.

Speaking earlier, the National Coordinator of the Progressives Sister’s Network, Bisola Abiola, who is the daughter of MKO Abiola, said the group, which consists of young women in APC, came to express their solidarity to the party and to congratulate Ganduje for emerging as the party’s National Chairman.

“We are here to express our solidarity and congratulate you for emerging as the National Chairman of our great party and also to thank you for nominating Dr. Mariam Mahmood from Kano state and also to ask you to take us as your own daughters”, she said.