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Tag: Politics

  • Nigeria ranks 181 out of 193 countries with highest number of women in politics

    Nigeria ranks 181 out of 193 countries with highest number of women in politics

    Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) says Nigeria currently ranks 181 out of 193 countries polled in terms women’s participation in politics.

    Dr Joy Onyesoh, Country Director, WILPF Nigeria, said this on Thursday in Abuja.

    Onnyesoh was speaking during the National Conference on Women’s Participation in Nigeria: Post 2019 General Elections, in a presentation on “Incidences of Violence against Women during the 2019 Elections.

    She said Nigeria’s low ranking in women’s political participation was as a result of myriad of challenges such as violence, intimidation, sexual assault and lack of internal party democracy that women faced.

    “Discrimination against women linked to social, legal, cultural and economic factors, violent nature of politics in Nigeria among others, are hindrances to women’s participation in politics.

    “There are trails of violence against women in the 2019 elections right from the party primaries to campaigns; it is so bad that some women were raped during the elections.

    “We need a sector-wide electoral violence prevention (EVP) strategy to curb this menace,” she said.

    Onyesoh said that women in particular should play key roles in EVP activities, including the development of early warning and response systems, given their particular vulnerability to gender-based violence.

    This, she said would go a long way in curbing violence against them, especially during elections.

    Ms Comfort Lamptey, UN Women representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, said 23 years after the establishment of 30 per cent quota for women’s political representation, the average was still low.

    Lamptey said that the average still stood at only 15 per cent in elected assemblies and 17 per cent in governments in Africa, compared to the global average of 23 per cent in parliaments and five per cent for heads of government.

    She said after the 2019 election in Nigeria, only 4.5 per cent women were elected into office, a decline from the 2015 elections, where elected women constituted 5.6 per cent.

    She said there were significant structural barriers to women participation in politics and leadership that needed to be addressed, especially within political parties who resisted inclusion of women.

    According to her, other barriers are; an electoral system that makes it tougher for women to compete on equal footing, women’s limited access to funds, harmful gender-based stereotypes in media, etc.

    She said Nigeria should build the political will to achieve gender balance in political and public circles by eliminating discriminatory laws including in family, property, labour etc.

    Lamptey advocated for zero tolerance for violence against women in politics and public life, and a firm commitment to gender equality and women’s rights, as enshrined in parity laws and legal reforms.

    Earlier, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the commission was committed to an all-inclusive government with particular attention to marginalised women.

    Yakubu who was represented by Prof. Anthonia Simbine, National Commissioner, INEC, reiterated commitment of the commission in championing electoral reforms that would enhance women’s participation in politics.

  • Joining politics one of the most difficult journeys I have embarked upon- Banky W

    Joining politics one of the most difficult journeys I have embarked upon- Banky W

    Pop star, Olubankole Wellington a.k.a Banky W stunned many when he declared his intention to contest for the Lagos State Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in House of Representatives on the platform of the Modern Democratic Party.

    The EME(Empire Mates Entertainment) boss has shared his experience, revealing that joining politics has been one of the most difficult journeys he has ever embarked upon.

    TheNewsGuru, TNG recalls that the self-proclaimed ‘Mr Capable’ made the declaration of his intention to run for office at the party’s convention in November 2018.

    A tweet posted on the singer’s Twitter account read in part, “You see, my entire life has been a story of just dreaming dreams, praying about those dreams, setting goals, and working until they come true.

    “I can live with trying and failing. I can not live with not trying.

    “So while we may not have a godfather, we do have God”

    Sharing his political voyage so far, the ‘Up North’ actor in a chat with Ebuka on Rubbin Minds said: ”On one hand, it’s been challenging, stressful and difficult joining politics. It is one of the most difficult journeys I have ever embarked upon, but on the other hand It’s been one of the most rewarding things I ever done and I will do it again in a heartbeat. It’s enlightening. You learn more about people in three months of doing politics than in some years put together”.

     

    Commenting on the shocking postponement of the Presidential and National Asssembly elections, he said:” We are moving forward our elections are a week away now and we are not completely sure who is going to win from the president to the way down. At this stage in our democracy, we have to understand that it is going to be tough, nobody is going to come and hand us the country that we want.

    “Despite all these frustrations, this is the time for us to push harder. This is the time for us to hold on stronger.If the young people really want this country to be better, we have to be resolute in our determination. We need to push for a better country and a different crop of leaders

    “Now is when it is important more than ever because this challenges will come. They will try to disenfranchise us and hold us down”.

     

  • Let’s make 2019 elections safe- Funke Akindele declares

    Let’s make 2019 elections safe- Funke Akindele declares

    Sensational actress, Funke Akindele ahead of the 2019 presidential election, has disclosed the major cause of violence in Nigeria’s election.The actress disclosed made this known in a post on her Instagram page on Tuesday.

    Akindele, while warning Nigerians ahead of the 2019 election, urged the public to avoid being aggravated.

    The mother of twin boys wrote: “Provocation is the cause of major violence in elections in Nigeria. Don’t be provoked. Avoid provoking others.

    “Respect everyone. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Let’s make 2019 elections safe, secure and credible.”

    In the same vein, Wizkid also took to his Snapchat page on Tuesday to advise politicians not to take Nigerians for granted.

    Don’t let anybody wen don collect money influence ur vote to tell u who’s right or not! Use yot head! Vote wisely! I’m for whoever the people vote. Vote who you like…vote wisely. If u ’re old enough to get a PVC, u’re old enough to think! Don’t sell ur vote…uir vote can make a difference! Go out and vote!

     

    And Politicians wey Dey enter stop joking with peoples lives! U’re responsible for the lives of millions of people and ur decisions affects all. Help us make Naija a better place!!! Make una use una head! One Love!” he wrote.

     

     

     

     

  • Davido cries out over denial of request to use Eko Atlantic City

    Nigerian pop star, Davido has cried out over the denial of his request to use Eko Atlantic city for his anticipated concert in December.

    The award winning pop star in a series of tweets alleged that the decision to deny him usage of the venue for his annual December concert showcase was politically motivated and orchestrated.

    He noted that his request was declined because of his allegiance to Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP, which he supported and campaigned vigorously for during the September governorship election in Osun State with his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke as flagbearer.

    An angry Davido noted that though his request was declined, he is unstoppable because the concert will be held.

     

    The crooner said that whoever was behind his ordeal cannot do more than that.

     

     

    Nah the highest dem fit do be that ! I I WILL SUPPORT WHO I WANT TO SUPPORT AND WILL NOT SWITCH SIDES OVER A FUCKING VENUE !! ITS FUCK EM! DEC 27TH CITY OF DAVID CONCERT STILL ON! ANNOUNCING VENUE SOON! LOVE YALL ❤️❤️??????

    — Davido (@iam_Davido) November 13, 2018

  • Family political meetings – Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido
    The party primaries are over and we now have a clear idea of politicians who want to rule and represent us from 2019 to 2023.
    Some are incumbents; others are aspiring to replace the incumbents. Government is arguably the biggest external factor shaping family life in Nigeria.
    Government plays a major role in our sources of livelihood, education, health, infrastructure, etc., in Nigeria. Being aloof of who governs or represents us is no longer an option.
    This is not only about belonging to a political party, not everybody has the stomach for what we call partisan politics in Nigeria. But even as imperfect as our democracy is, I know that power still belongs to the people. Electoral malpractices or not, voters will determine who governs them in 2019.
    Consequently, the electorates need to start asking critical questions. The major challenge though is that the electorates are confronted with multi-faced afflictions; they are mentally and physically pauperized, perplexed and totally drained. They do not even realize the enormous powers they wield anymore.
    But the voters must still remember that they are “afflicted in every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (II Corinthians 4:8-9).
    They still hold the ace and it is time to deliver the joker.
    Family units must come together and begin to ask critical questions. Judgment day is here and the criteria for judgment are the very promises each political office holder made. How has your family faired? How far have these promises been fulfilled? If you are satisfied with the level of fulfillment of previous campaign promises, you may vote for the candidate again.
    But if he has not fulfilled his promises, he has to tell you why. If you are satisfied with his explanations and you feel he is better than his challengers, vote for him. But if a better candidate is challenging him, let “better” take over from “good.”
    But where he does not even deem it fit to tell you why he failed, vote him out. Also where he does not even know he has failed or thinks his mediocre performance is good enough, vote him out.
    As for other contenders for positions, what are their antecedents? Nobody drops from the sky. They must have held positions before, either in the public or private sector.
    Are they the kind of people who understand our peculiar needs and can put policies in place to solve them? Do their campaign promises suggest that they understand the issues dear to the people they want to govern. The latter must be better than the former.
    Also the electorate need to have some clarity of what they really want so that they can know what to demand and expect from the candidates asking for their votes. Right from the national to state levels, what are the critical issues now? Nigerians need a better performing economy. We need jobs, we need stable electricity. We need good roads, good rails and other efficient means of transportation. .
    We need a friendly business environment so that the small and medium scale businesses that employ millions of Nigerians can strive again. We need to retune our educational system to suit our current circumstances. We produce too many graduates who are not functional to themselves and the society. We need a new health system that takes care of everybody’s basic needs at a base cost and can also handle the more complicated cases that costs millions of Naira. Since many Nigerians cannot afford expensive medical treatment, we need to come up with a functional health insurance scheme to help make advanced medical treatment affordable to the ordinary Nigerian.
    Nigeria has enormous potentials, but we need leaders who have the capacity and courage to unlock these potentials for the rapid transformation of Nigeria and Nigerians. Our growth is currently being stunted because of the economic and political weakness of the confederating units (we are not a operating a federation in the true sense). We need a true federal system of government. The federal government is too big and powerful and it is an impediment to the speedy development of Nigeria. We need to take some powers from the central government and create stronger regional units closer to the people, not these ineffectual local government areas. We need men of courage and intellectual capacity both in the executive and legislature to do this.
    In this onerous task of charting a new course, let us put gender consideration by the side. The truth is that just like the men, some of the women, who have been in government, have been good while others have been horrendous. What we need are courageous and visionary Nigerians, male or female. Gender considerations should be secondary.
    In addition, Nigeria has competent people from all parts, so even if we want to bring in zoning or federal character, each zone should bring its first 11. We do not need mediocres at this critical stage of our development.
    A source of worry though is the allure of immediate gains. People going into elections are being drained. Voters collect money before they vote, delegates collect money before voting; everybody is just into what I can get now. Notwithstanding what you choose to do on the short term, please let us focus on the long term.
    What can N5000 or even $5000 immediate gain do for you over the next four years? But good roads, good schools, good health care system, strong economy can do you and your family a world of good over the next four years. These are issues we should be concerned with.
    Now, I know many of our people are illiterates and even many who can read and write need guidance. Beyond your immediate families, those among us with the capacity need to move around and enlighten those around them so that the scales can fall their eyes.
    We need a new paradigm. Do not be encumbered by ethnicity, gender, religion, party affiliations and lure of personal and immediate gains. Let us elect people who have the capacity to fix our society.
    The power is in the hands of voters. Voters come from family units, so the power is in the hands of families. When they say Nigeria has 87 million people who are extremely poor, it is not just statistics; they are talking about fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, children, cousins, nephews and nieces.
    They are talking about families. Nigerian families must take their destinies in their hands, beginning from now.

  • Politicians are playing with our country’s destiny- Banky W

    Nigerian singer and showbiz entrepreneur, Banky W has called on young Nigerians to stop taking sides in heated arguments over political leaders in the country.

    He made this known via his Twitter page, adding that all politicians are after their self-interest and playing with Nigeria’s destiny.

     

    He wrote: “Politicians are playing musical chairs with our country’s destiny. Instead of us coming together and cancelling all of them, some of us are picking sides, fighting on their behalf and falsely accusing ourselves. News flash: They’re all out for self-interest. We need an entirely new path.

     

    “It’s a chess game between two sides.. aren’t we tired of being pawns yet? No? We are just going to sit here and fight/falsely accuse ourselves, on behalf of leaders on both sides of the aisle, most of whom have clearly shown that we are the ones they care least about?

    “Cancel all of em. It’s a chess game, and we are the pawns. It’s a damn comedy show, and the joke is on us. It has always been.

    “Those of us that have registered to vote for 2019, vote with your conscience. But it isn’t just about 2019. It’s about building a new viable option going forward. Aren’t we sick of all of them already? Haven’t they all had enough chances to do and be better?

    “I’m hoping to work with whoever wants to build something new. We have the numbers to do it. But we are busy playing their game and picking sides. We are no better than the generations that got us in this mess.”

     

  • Gov. Ortom gives quit notice to Public/Civil Servants eyeing partisan politics

    As activities for the 2019 general elections build up, Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue has served quit notice to all Public and Civil Servants eyeing partisan politics in the state.

    In a circular by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Ijohor (SAN), conveying the directive, the governor asked such officers to resign before May 29 or face sanctions.

    The circular read in part: “The Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has directed that all Political Appointees/Civil Servants on the pay roll of the Benue State Government, who wish to seek public offices in the 2019 General Elections, should as a matter of necessity resign their appointments, latest 29 May, 2018.”

    He, however, warned against canvassing for votes and campaigning for elective offices without resigning.

    The governor also warned that such actions would attract sanctions and hence a breach of the governors’ directive.

    Some of the lawyers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on the directive, said the governor had the right under the Electoral Act to ask for their resignation since they were “mere” political appointees.

    They also explained that both Public and Civil Service rules prohibited officers from partaking in partisan politics while in active service.

     

  • 2019: APC has derailed, now playing PDP politics — Okorocha

    2019: APC has derailed, now playing PDP politics — Okorocha

    Imo State governor and chairman of the All Progressives Congress Governor’s Forum, Rochas Okorocha on Thursday revealed how the ruling APC is derailing and now playing the kind of politics the oppositon, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that saw them out of power in 2015.

    Okorocha, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the declaration of Adams Oshiomole, former governor of Edo State, to run for office of national chairman of the party.

    Okoracha, who was at the event to show his support for the governor and endorse his bid, said he believes in Oshiomhole’s capacity to address some issues in the party.

    “Another thing I think Oshiomole will address is that our party has begun to play the same kind of politics like PDP. All of a sudden we have started derailing and playing the PDP kind of politics. This started by some of those people who found themselves in political office especially appointment, who did not win their booths and wards.

    He said Oshiomhole should also address the weakness of the party in the South-South and South-East. He said he believed Oshiomhole can help strengthen it in those parts of the country.

    He called on the aspirant to ensure he roots out “urban masquerades” from the APC and also bring to an end the principle of “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop”.

    “Today, our party is going through some challenges and I must commend those who helped fight for this party even before this time, they have done well but the fight ahead, the challenges ahead are greater and we need great men like Adams Oshiomohle to do this job. For me particularly, Adams will strengthen APC in South-south and South-east.

    Emphasising why the party needed to be strengthened in those regions, Mr Okorocha noted he is the only governor in the South-east and the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, the only governor in the South-South under the APC.

    “Suffice to say that as I speak to you today, I am the only governor from the entire South-east who is APC just like my brother, Obaseki is the only governor from the South-South from the APC. What this goes to say is that APC has challenges in the South-South and South-East for reasons not too far-fetched. For some myopic considerations and assessment, this party is not strong in those parts of Nigeria.

    “For those our governors in the north, they won the election so easy, for as long as the name Buhari stands in the north. But its not the same thing talking about President Muhammadu Buhari’s name in the South-South or South-West. So if you see any governor emerge in the South-South or South-East, it is not with an ordinary strength, and I believe that Oshiomole coming in will strengthen this party in that part.

    “Adams, your first assignment when you become the national chairman of the party is to ensure and channel that principle of ‘monkey de work, bamboon de chop. Because some of these people who are seated here before you, won their booths, delivered their wards but those who didn’t win their booths or deliver their wards are holding big jobs in the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “In this new dispensation, no more monkey dey work, bamboo dey chop. If you work, you chop, you don’t work, you don’t chop.

    “We have a lot of urban masqueraders in APC now and you, must force them out. And I know Adams Oshiomole is a no nonsense man, he will stand forthright, he will face them both in debate, action, physical, mental, moral, spiritual; he can face the opposition. But I don’t know about the spiritual aspect.”

  • 2019: Saraki advocates increased women participation in politics

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Wednesday pledged to work with relevant political stakeholders to ensure that a greater number of women are given the opportunity to vie and occupy elective offices during the 2019 general elections.

    Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, gave the pledge when the Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly.

    He said that there is nothing to fear about having more women occupy political offices saying that such a development can only but help to strengthen the nation’s democracy.

    He lamented that the present statistics of women in governance in the country is not encouraging and said that going into the 2019 elections, something must be done to change the tide.

    Saraki said: “Anybody in this country today will agree that from the statistics you have given out here today, it is clear that definitely, we are not doing enough in the inclusion of women in politics and governance.

    “We must change and turn the tide in this direction. We cannot continue with this low level of participation.

    “What I want to assure you is that you have my full support and the full support of the National Assembly to see what we can do to ensure that as we go into 2019, it will be a year that we will change the level of participation of women in politics in this country.

    “The challenge we have is that such an action is something that must be done collectively. We will champion it but it is something that requires all of us to work very hard for it to happen.

    “I believe that what we will do is to make it clear that it must happen. It has to happen and it is in the interest of this country for it to happen.

    “We want to reassure those that have fears about it that there is noting to worry about. It will only strengthen our democracy and make our country better.

    “I am convinced that your visit is timely that in this 2019, we must make a difference. We must see a real change in this area,” he stated.

    He commended the group for their advocacy and commitment to ensure that more women are voted into offices and said it is imperative to support women groups to push for greater political inclusion.

    He said: “Political parties are now gearing up for election, this is the right time we must begin to demand from political parties and candidates that they must tell Nigerians what their policy is on gender affirmation.

    “You have the votes, at least you have 46 – 48 per cent, let your votes do the work and if your votes do the work, then you will make the work easier for all of us.

    “It is time for you to mobilize and work for it because it is important. A lot of us who have had the experience have found out, without any bias, that generally female politicians/parliamentarians are very committed, hardworking and more importantly very consistent and loyal.

    “I think when you build a country and you build a political space, what is important is consistency and sometimes loyalty,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairperson of the group, Hon. Elizabeth Uyinmwen Ativie, decried the low level of women participation in the nation’s governance since 1999, in terms of both elective and appointive offices.

    Ativie, who is the member representing Uhunmwode Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, however commended the President of the Senate for influencing the nomination and election of five women into the Kwara State House of Assembly during the 2015 general elections.

    “Nigeria needs to invest in women’s participation in politics by creating an enabling environment for women to thrive and tackle perceived systemic and cultural hinderances to women’s inclusion,” she said.

    She sought the support of the President of the Senate for the quick passage of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, implementation of 35 per cent affirmative action strategy and the abrogation of laws that infringe on citizens’ rights of women, among others.

     

  • How Adebanjo taught me rebellion in politics – Tinubu

    Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday said elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo taught him (Tinubu) the art of rebellion in Nigerian politics.

    The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said this on Tuesday during the public presentation of Adebanjo’s autobiography titled Telling it as it is, which was presented in Lagos on Tuesday as part of activities to mark his (Adebanjo’s) 90th birthday.

    Tinubu, who strolled into the hall unexpectedly, told the audience that he was on his way to Abuja to attend his party’s meeting when he was informed that Adebanjo’s book launch was holding today (Tuesday) and he decided to be there, even if it was for only two minutes.

    He described the celebrator as “a nationalist worthy of emulation. “He has been a father to all of us in politics; he is a man of principle, who is always ready to defend his position on any issue”, Tinubu said of the nonagenarian.

    He went on: “If not for his honour and integrity, I wouldn’t have been Lagos State Governor. He stood against rigging the Alliance for Democracy (AD) governorship primary in 1999. He insisted that direct primary should hold. And when the result came, some people wanted to manipulate the result; Adebanjo stood his ground that the result of the primary should be upheld. If he had been a corrupt leader, he would have taken money and my name would have been substituted.

    “I respect you; you are a mentor to me. We can disagree. If you call me a rebel, you taught me the act of rebellion. If I go the other side, I am not a bastard, I have a good father. Please, continue on the path of integrity and honesty you are known for.

    “You can’t but praise and honour him for his principled stance on restructuring. Restructuring means true federalism; there should be opportunity for each federating unit to govern according to its blueprint; it is about management of resources. I agree with Chief Adebanjo on this. We thank God for you and want you to continue to serve humanity in good health,” Tinubu said.