‘Education, insecurity, women empowerment’ — female guber candidates unveil agenda

The 25 female governorship candidates contesting on the platforms of different political parties have revealed their plans ahead of the 2023 general election.

The governorship elections, as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will be held on March 11, 2023.

The female governorship candidates converged on Monday for a media engagement hosted by Women Radio 91.7FM.

The event, held in Abuja, was supported by UN Women and the Canadian government.

Unveiling her agenda, Annabel Cosmos, governorship candidate of Action People’s Party (APP) in Delta, said women have not been given the privilege to improve their states since the return to democracy in 1999.

Cosmos said she will revamp the education, agriculture and health sectors in Delta, adding that women can take up duties of governance if given the chance.

“They say what a man can do, a woman can do it better,” she said.

“Women should not be left in the kitchen. The kitchen is not our place; we can govern a state if allowed to serve.”

Roseline Chenge, the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Benue, promised to industrialise and address security challenges in her state.

Change, who expressed a willingness to adopt modern agricultural system to sustain food security, said the state’s treasury will be effectively managed to boost revenue generation.

“If you are familiar with Benue state, [you will know] it needs industrialisation with local governments in focus,” she said.

“Benue needs security, and as a mother, I have come out so that as an engineer, I can engage the most modern and sophisticated technology to provide security because my people are dying.

“The men have done well but women can do a better job.”

Women empowerment, quality education

Speaking on the need for empowerment, Binta Umar, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Jigawa, said she is contesting to help in addressing the challenges of women and youths in the state.

“The women are always at the receiving end anytime there is one challenge or the other, likewise our young people,” she said.

“We have a lot of resources and we are farmers too.

“We want to use all these resources to make life better than what it is now.”

Ngozika Johnson-Ogbuneke, Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate for Abia, said the state has not achieved much since it was formed 31 years ago.

Johnson-Ogbuneke, an orthopaedic surgeon and human rights lawyer, said she will defend the rights of the citizens through quality education for children, better salaries for teachers, and the construction of good roads.

“There is no infrastructure in Abia, nothing to give the people a good life and when the youths of Nigeria protested back then in 2020, my heart was broken,” she said.

“When you look at what they said about the EndSARS, it applies to Abia state too. I felt it is time to make a difference in my fatherland.

“Don’t vote for me because I am a woman, vote for me because I am a capable woman. I am an orthopaedic surgeon and also a human rights lawyer.

“I am coming to defend the rights of Abia people for quality education, good road; for the children to be well trained, for school teachers to have their salaries paid; pensioners have their gratuities and grants given to them and for Abia State to have an airport.”

She added that transforming the agriculture and health sectors is part of her plans for the people.

Toun Sonaiya, executive director of Women Radio, said peace will return to Nigeria If the 25 female governorship candidates are allowed to govern their states.

Sonaiya urged the media to report their vision until they are considered for elective positions across the country.

“Please continue to report then until something happens,” she said.

“Our women are ready and we should give them support and encouragement.”

Deborah Jaiyeola, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Kwara state, and Funmilayo Kupoluyi, the APM guber candidate for Lagos, were also present at the event.