Female rep joins speakership race, asks male aspirants to step down for her

Miriam Onuoha, a member of the house of representatives, has joined the race for the speakership of the 10th assembly.

Onuoha, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared her intention to vie for the number four position in the country at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

The lawmaker asked the male contestants in the race to step down and endorse her candidacy.

Onuoha said women have not been adequately included in the management of the house of representatives affairs, noting that the time has come to change the narrative.

While describing herself as a “credible and ranking” member of the green chamber, the lawmaker said she will unite the house and drive gender inclusion.

“The attribute of a woman is inclusiveness. A woman breaths live, and a woman nurtures. At this time of our political history, we need a woman to transform us because we are at a transition to another level,” she said.

“I wish that the government will declare a state of emergency on the dwindling number of women in politics and parliament in particular.

“Almost about 90 positions of this country —the men have dominated it. Ceding this one position to me will be a way of proving that we are running an inclusive government.

“I use this opportunity to call on my co-contestants — my male contestants — to consider the love and the care Nigerian voters have shown to them, and as a matter of honour, step down to support this woman.

“I call on the male contestants to step down in the interest of peace and understanding. If Nigeria and our democracy must advance, my candidature has to be pushed.”

Onuoha, who represents Okigwe north federal constituency of Imo state, is the chairperson of the house committee on disability.

The lawmaker was first elected to the house of representatives in 2015.

She contested in the 2019 elections but Obinna Onwubuariri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the poll.

She challenged the victory in court and a fresh election was ordered.

She won the election and her victory was upheld in August 2020.