As the November 16 governorship elections in Ondo State draw near, women across the state are urging political parties to consider female candidates for the position of deputy governor.
Representing various women’s groups in the state, members of the Ondo State Women Group voiced their concerns over the perceived marginalization of women in the state’s political sphere. This call to action was articulated in a communique issued following the group’s inaugural meeting held on Thursday, titled “Agitation for Gender Balance and Inclusiveness.”
Mrs. Adebimpe Adeniyi, the state Chairperson of the National Council for Women Societies and one of the group’s leaders, read the communique on behalf of others.
In the document, the women advocated for the nomination of female candidates as deputy governors by all political parties participating in the 2024 governorship election in Ondo State. Additionally, they emphasized the need for an augmented budgetary allocation for the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
The communique underscored the persistence of their justifiable agitation until their demands are met by all political parties in the state. It criticized the contradiction of using the Yoruba term “Odatiwa” for inclusiveness while relegating women to the sidelines, deeming such practices unacceptable.
Highlighting the precedent set by other states in Nigeria where women have served as deputy governors, the women emphasized the absence of such representation in Ondo State, despite its status as the intellectual hub of the South-West region.
