Betty Akeredolu: Deputy governorship slots should be reserved for women — enough of the boys brigade

Imo Women Matter (IWM), a non-governmental organisation, has demanded that deputy governorship slots in Nigeria be exclusively reserved for women so as to achieve equity.

The NGO, in a press conference held in Owerri, Imo state capital, on Friday, said women should be included among the country’s decision-making elite.

Betty Akeredolu, wife of Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, lamented that women are marginalised in almost all the endeavours of life, including politics. 

Akeredolu, who doubles as convener of the group, said: “Women have been made the endangered species because of their gender. Nothing is left to their benefit, ranging from the families, politics, churches, economy and what have you.

“Take a look at the just concluded Imo state house of assembly election, no woman was elected of the 27 members of the assembly. The three senatorial seats in Imo state were won by men. 

“Women should be given a chance to contribute to the country’s political growth. In fact, they should be at the decision-making table of the nation.

“Enough is enough! Enough of this boys brigade lineup in Nigeria’s political landscape. It is killing our nation. We should not continue undermine the powers of women in effecting great changes.

“Go and check any institution that is manned by a woman; there must a difference. Evidence of women driving this country to a greater height abound. 

“Look at the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is currently the director-general of World Trade Organisation ( WTO), the late Dora Akunyili, and of course the legendary Chimammanda Ngozi Adichie. These are great women of substance who have the wherewithal to effect change.

“We demand that the deputy governorship slots of all the 36 states in Nigeria be exclusively reserved for women so that they can also have a voice like the men.”

Akeredolu, who is a native of Imo, said women can pursue careers outside of the kitchen, citing examples such as academics, law, medicine, among others. 

“We are uniquely gifted by God. Why are we being suppressed? Nobody should be less empathetic about this serious issue. Women need to be delivered from  socio-economic extinction,” the governor’s wife said. 

“Unfortunately, the efforts of the several women bodies including Nigeria Council of Women Society (NCWS) have yielded little or no good results because of the marginalisation meted out to them. It is high time this was put to a permanent stop.”

She advised women to participate in politics, expressing optimism that they would eventually have a stake in the country’s political landscape.