by Joy Omagha Idam
Ahead of the ruling party of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP national
conventions earlier scheduled for July 20th have been moved to August 30th 2013 tentatively. I have decided to x- ray the position of the National Woman Leader. Reason being that whoever emerges the Woman Leader will not only be representing PDP women but will have considerable influence on Nigerian women in general.
Thus it will be important to actually define the term Woman Leader. A national Woman Leader is the only female among the highest decision making body of the party, the National Working Committee, NWC. This means she is saddled with the responsibility of speaking for and on behalf of Nigerian women and that in it-self is grossly un- balanced.
The implication of this is that of the 60% of the Nigerian population which women represent, 45% of that population of women are in the PDP, thus only one woman will be speaking for about 70 million women in Nigeria, are PDP card carrying members and as a result she has to speak for and on behalf of most women who are not very lucky in their party to have a voice.
So whoever must occupy the exalted position of National Woman Leader must be competent, educated , able to communicate & above all be a role model to young up coming politicians and mentor them. The person must be comfortable with working for and with women. And not be intimidated by other women but mentor them.
She must be a people’s person. Not a feminist because there are gender sensitive men who are supportive of women course. A woman that is comfortable with both gender. A woman that other women will not hesitate to run to when there are issues and she will quickly proffer solutions and help them fight that course.
Having worked severally with women in politics a lot of women are given all manners of unprintable names and this can only be stopped by a true woman Leader, Who will not add to their sorrow but provide succor for the Nigerian woman.
A Woman Leader, is one who does not have complex or is judgemental a mother and a true Leader. A mother who does not have problems she is sure of who she is and her mission is to serve the Nigerian Woman putting their interest before her’s.
Most times I have heard the women say they cannot work with their fellow women because they will be accused of taking their husbands, this mind set is grossly misrepresenting the women aspiring into politics, but who speaks for such women? Who stands up for them when such arise? This should also be the role of a good Woman Leader.
PDP this is another opportunity to get it right. Most women I have spoken to but who pleaded anonymity said “we believe a lot of women left the party for choices made earlier. This is yet another opportunity to right those wrongs and recall the women who left the party if the PDP is desirous of remaining on top come 2015”.
“ Women want to vote a Woman Leader of their choice. They want their votes to count. Let all the candidates be allowed to test their popularity among themselves nobody should force a candidate on Nigerian women as was done in the past, I urge the PDP”.
There is gross frustration among the women I spoke to as they lamented that each time there is an election from the political parties to professional bodies, the men select a woman and shove her down the throat of other women and this is not right. The women should vote their choice they should not even be tele-guided by the men.
Nigerian women should seek for a Woman Leader who is selfless, who is not greedy, self centered and will not use the platform to frustrate other women but bring them together in one united voice. This is achievable.
The Party Executive in Imo State where the post of National Woman Leader PDP have been zoned to should know that the onus lies on them to ensure that they are free and fair to all the aspirants. It would not be fair if any woman is imposed on the rest as played out in 2012. They should endeavor to interview all the aspirants to know their manifestoes and give them a level playing ground. “The world is watching so the PDP should lead by example as this is a litmus test for Nigeria and PDP ahead of 2015”.
Also I am anxious like every Nigerian to ensure that the Convention Committee gets it right by allowing all who have dully picked form as aspirants and are qualified to contest. While hoping that the rumours making the rounds that they plan to return all those who stepped aside is not. Or is this a charade? PDP this is a golden opportunity to get it right and gather the scattered.
Now let me update you with the aspirants, who have picked form for this exalted position. They include; Hon Chika Ibeneme, Dr Kema Chikwe the Incumbent Woman Leader, Dr Betty Ihuaku Nnadi, Chief Mrs Ngozi Orubele. I made efforts to reach them and here is what each had to say.
Hon Chief Chika Ibeneme former Commissioner Housing & Transport, granted me this interview at the Izon Wari House Abuja, she hails from Anambra. She is of the view that it should not be zoned to any particular State in the South East but thrown open for all who qualify by being from that zone to contest. Here is what she had to say.
“ As a founding PDP Mother I Have paid my dues in the party and for the party now is my turn to be compensated for my steadfast commitment and devotion to my party, the PDP. I wont dump my party but my party should not dump me too, they should let the votes of delegates count. The post should be open to all women from the south east if I then run and fail at that level I will accept it as the verdict of the delegates”.
“ I am a team player, in 2012 I was blackmailed into steeping down, my husband was called to ask me to leave the race, I was made to write a step down letter but was not compensated. In 1999 I ran for Assistant National Secretary, I was told to step down, I did. In 2002 I ran for Governor of Anambra you all know the rest of the story, In 2007 I ran for the post of party Chairman at the state level again I was told to step down. In 2011 I ran for Senate and was forced to step down. This time I urge the Convention committee to throw it open”
I will carry out a three point agenda if elected, the party need a strong mobiliser like me to turn things around working with our first lady to mobilize women, empower the women, give them a voice and mentor the youth.
Dr Kema Chikwe, the incumbent National Woman Leader of the PDP, on the other hand refused to grant me an interview, but I was invited to a forum where she met Nigerian women on the 17th of July at the Joy Elegance garden wuse zone 7 on 17TH July 2013 and here is what she told the women.
“ I am very sorry that in my one 16 months in Office I could not gather you people like this. I was busy negotiating with banks and manufacturers to get small scale loans for the Nigerian women if you help me and I am returned I will continue from where I stopped”
“ I know that most of you are not delegates but you can influence the delegates by being my OTINKPU when you see the delegates coming just start singing that welcome song you did for me all we are saying give us KEMA.”
“ Do not listen to what people tell you about me, im a very good person, I apologise again for my inability to meet Nigerian women in my 16 months in Office give me a second chance and I will right all those wr
ongs.”
“ I cannot promise Nigerian women impossible things as my co aspirants are doing but one thing I can assure you is that when I am re-elected if a woman needs endorsement letter I will write and give her if you say there is an opening somewhere I will give a note to facilitate”
“ My track record is that when I was appointed Minister Transport and later Aviation, the legacies I left behind is what motivated more roles being given to women in the ministerial appointments we have recorded so far.
According to Dr Betty Ihuaku Nnadi, the CEO Dr Bees Honey also the CEO VECTOR Africa that have over 2000 staff internationally, interviewed at her Asokoro regional Office says “ at the Legislature Nigerian women have not made much impact as we ought to if given the mandate come August 30th 2013 I Betty Nnadi will change that as I hold the key to persuading the men into supporting more women into elective posts. As Woman Leader I will mobilize & empower women am very proud of the efforts of Mama MARKET Woman, Felicia Sani, and several other Nigerian women.
“ I will help in relaying the gospel of transformation of President Jonathan to the grass roots. The President has helped us by being the first Leader in Africa to empower so much women into key positions politically and he is waiting for Nigerian women to raise their hands up to him so he can help us and im that missing link”.
He has done a lot for us in the Judiciary, Executive and working closely with him and the party leadership we can achieve economic empowerment for the Nigerian woman.
There should be more women in elective position and we would do all possible to mobilize Nigerian women to support more women into elective Office. This time around I do not envisage any impositions as I have so much believe in the convention committee.
More so with an active First Lady I will ensure that that I work with her to mobilize Nigerians, Women and young persons. She has shown so much commitment to women course and deserve commendation and set motion to re-unite the PDP family.”
According to Chief Mrs Ngozi Orubele , who was interviewed via telephone said, “ If given the opportunity I will mobilize women for the party. President GE Jonathan is women friendly and no one has done what he did for Nigerian women. A nation without women is no nation. I want to support the President to have key women in his administration if im elected.
On the zoning the post of Woman Leader was zoned to Imo State but if Anambra people are picking form then I do not know what to say. When you zone it makes for credible candidates to emerge. The Anambra people had National Publicity Secretary zoned to them.
We have the best brains in the world. And Nigerians are great people we should market our nation in positive light. I present myself to serve Nigeria and my party.
Finally, I call on Nigerian women who are card carrying members of the PDP and the party stalwarts to get it right this time ensure that no candidate I mean no candidate is imposed on the people. As their action will either strengthen or weaken the party. Ahead of 2015 the party should consolidate and reconcile all groups if they want to remain the party in power come 2015.
Joy Omagha Idam, is an Abuja based Political analyst.