As the November 16 governorship elections approach in Ondo State, women within the state are urging political parties to select female candidates for the position of deputy governor.
The women, under the auspices of Ondo State Women Group, which comprise representatives of various women groups in the state, lamented the alleged neglect of women in the Ondo State political space.
The call was contained in a communique issued at the end of the inaugural meeting of group held on Thursday.
The document was titled: “Agitation for gender balance and inclusiveness.”
The communique was read by one of the leaders of the group and state Chairperson of the National Council for Women Societies, Mrs Adebimpe Adeniyi, on behalf of others.
In the communique, the women demanded “ the nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates of all the participating political parties in the 2024 governorship election in Ondo state.”
They also want “an increased budgetary allocation for the state Ministry of Women Affairs.”
They said, “The justifiable agitation and legitimate demand, particularly regarding the nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates from all participating political parties, will persist until it is met and complied with by all political parties in the state.
“Using the unique Yoruba word ‘Odatiwa’ for inclusiveness while simultaneously confining women to the ‘other room’ is contradictory and unacceptable.
“We must acknowledge that women have been nominated and elected as deputy governors in some states in Nigeria. In the South-West, only Ondo State, which prides itself as the intellectual base of the region, is yet to provide an opportunity for a female deputy governor.”
