By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Political stakeholders yesterday charged women in Cross River to mobilize themselves for participation in the forthcoming February 25 and March 11 general elections.
The stakeholders gave the charge in a town hall meeting organised by the women wing of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The stakeholders, drawn from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Police, National Orientation Agency, NOA, religious as well as traditional leaders, spoke on the need for women not to exclude themselves from the political process.
They spoke on the dangers of women sitting on the fence, calling for all to join their hands together in the selection of the nation’s leaders.
The speakers stated that the time has come when women need to stand up with their permanent voter cards, PVCs, and ensure that only individuals with proven integrity and capacity are put in places of authority, rather than allowing mediocres rule them.
Speaking on the issue, the chairperson of the women wing of Cross River State CAN, Chief Umo Oyo-Ita, called for the discharge of civic responsibilities by women so that wrong persons are not allowed to assume positions of authority.
Oyo-ita stated that the association had completed it’s responsibility of sensitizing women in churches and markets across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Oyo-Ita said, “We are gathered in order to further strengthen the confidence of women to participate in the 2023 general elections.
“We appreciate the presence of the stakeholders, who will in their various capabilities allay fear and clear the doubts of women and indeed the general public about the general elections.”
In his remarks, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP, Sule Balarabe, who was represented by DSP Onne Ikwen, allayed fear on security, and advised women to come out enmasse on election days so that they can exercise their franchise without fear or favour, stressing that he would deploy several police officers to different polling units.
The CP charged women to warn their children not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs by unscrupulous politicians.
He said, “You should all come out to cast your votes on the dates for the polls without any fear, as adequate arrangement have been made for security across the state before, during and after the polls.”
Also speaking the Assistant Director of NOA in Cross River State, Mrs Mercy Igboke, stated that the 2023 polls was not one that women should seat on the fence, calling on women to ensure that they get their PVCs and come out on election days to vote any candidate that can help turn around the nation’s fortunes.
In her words, the NOA Assistant Director said, “2023 is a remarkable year and the months designated for the polls are also remarkable months, so, we (women) must not seat on the fence this time around.
“We must also not allow our children to be used as political thugs during the elections.”
In his remarks, Dr Samuel Ntino of CAN, sued for peaceful and credible conduct of the polls by the electoral umpire, even as he spoke against violence before, during and after the elections.
He said, “Don’t become enemy of anybody because of politicians and we must all eschew violence.”
