By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women have put necessay modalities in place on how to ensure victory for the party.
The women said this on Monday at meeting between the PDP National Woman Leader, Prof Stella Effah-Attoe, and the 2022/23 PDP female aspirants in Abuja, where they (aspirants) were advised to engage in consultation with leaders from grassroot and also to recognise the authority structure in the party, especially leaders at their local constituencies.
The National Woman Leader of the PDP, Prof Stella Effah-Attoe, in her opening remarks, said, “this meeting is necessitated by my desire to leave no stone unturned to ensure that our women do not only come out to participate in politics, but to also participate meaningfully and win elections.
“We’ve always thought about women coming to participate. We’ve been doing that over the years, we’ve been participating but the issue now is coming out to win elections.
“This kind of meeting is unprecedented. I deem it necessary to know our female aspirants across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT.
‘This gathering will afford us the opportunity to understand the role of the National Woman Leader in broadening the horizon for female effective participation in politics. To share ideas with veterans and tap from their wealth of experience.
“Enhance our approaches and methodologies as we go to the field. Understand the pros and cons inherent in our political pursuits with a view to preferring solutions to them.
“Monitor the achievements of female aspirants and plan for the future.
“I believe that at the end of this significant exercise, our female aspirants will rise up from here in high spirits towards the business ahead”, she said.
In her remarks, former National Women Leader of PDP and Minister of Women Affairs under the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Mrs Josephine Anenih warned that the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in various offices is not automatic as women must work their way up.
Mrs Anenih, a Lawyer, also cautioned the women to always reach out to their leaders at the grassroot, adding that if they must win election, there is need for them to attend meetings at the wards and states.
In her words, “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.
“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 in national, state and local levels but you must do your part,” she said.
On the exorbitant nature of Nigeria politics, she said, “you cannot win elections today without money. You need money to run your campaigns, consult with the right people and fund your candidacy.
