12th November, 2010
The 2003 governorship aspirant of Democratic Peoples Alliance, DPA, Jimi Agbaje, former First Lady of Lagos State and President of New Era Foundation, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu and Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Demola Seriki, have called for more women representetion in governance.
They made the call at a symposium with the theme, The Power of Your Vote, organised by Cosmopolitan Women Club, Lagos. A non-government organisation led by Mrs Onikepo Oshodi, a frontline politician.
The trio who were speakers at the event also enjoined the women folk to vote and defend their votes as stakeholders in the electoral process.
Dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbloa Fashola, Engr. Rauf Arebgesola, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, Dr Muiz Banire and Mrs. Modupe Oseghale among others.
According to Mrs. Tinubu,the role of women can no longer be limited to the kitchen, as she urged them to mobilise for politics.
“If our votes must count, registration is a key factor in our sensitisation campaign. If we fully participate and massively vote, we will be more committed as privileged and elite collectives to make our votes speak on the choice of a good candidate,†she said.
She lamented the marginalisation of women in politics, saying although women account for 51 per cent of the country’s population, they only enjoy 7.5 per cent slots in the National Assembly.
“In the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011, women occupied only 35 out of 360 seats. In the senate, there are nine women out of 109 members. The combined total of women in the House is a mere 7.5 per cent.
“This should give all of us cause for concern for there certainly is an urgent need for female representation in governance,†she siaid.
The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji who was chairman of the event, said the government and the ruling ACN are gender sensitize.
He urged the women to compete with men for political positions.
