In our country Nigeria, we have seen over the years that women have been relegated to the background in issues of overall development. The Nigerian woman has always played crucial roles in the political life of this country. To a large extent, this has helped in no small measure in shaping the political system of this nation. For anything good to happen to Nigeria and Nigerian, the women should be given great opportunity to serve, as they constitute a larger portion of the population. The women should be seen participating in decision making of this country.
Squeal to this adjoined belief by many women; we can recall the likes of some Nigerian women political activists who were strong forces to be reckon with in the politics of their various regions during the pre-independent era. The late Mrs. Fumilayo Ransom Kuti made a mark in the politics of the western region. In the Babandiga era, we saw a turning point in the history of women struggle in Nigeria, when Maryam Babangida institutionalized the office of the first lady in 1987 and launched the “Better Life for Rural Women programme.
Other women who have made impact in our country's political scene include, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala former Minister of Finance, who saved the nation records of billions of Naira as a result of her hard working nature as a public officer. Mrs. Obi Ezekwesili also laid a landmark in the history of Nigerian politics. The iron lady, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was one time NAFDAC boss can also be given credit for her effort to fight against adulterated pharmaceutical drugs. These names can never be forgotten in the annals of Nigerian history. There are myriads of women in politics even presently that have done well and are still performing excellently well, and this calls for support from all women.
The belief that women have some potentials and rights to contribute meaningfully to the development of their country cannot be ruled out. It is my earnest expectation that Nigeria should work towards achieving gender equality in democratic governance, increasing women participation and access to politics. But my fear is, will they work as a team. Let me clear the air, If this write-up suggests that I am a feminist in any way, sorry, I am not and I do not intend to be one, I just feel that women should be given their right place in our society, if they so deserve it. Beyond Sarah Jibril's one vote is something that should extract tears from the eyes of every Nigerian woman, because this embarrassment, I call it, the ONE VOTE is coming at a time Nigerian women are fighting for recognition at all levels of governance and yet they cannot stand for their own belief.
Many have applauded and given their total support for the initiative of the first lady in the sense that her pet project is aimed at advancing strategies for gender equality, equity and promotion of affirmative action, principles and mechanism for effective resource management and accountability. It is also to develop a mechanism which could enhance the legislative process in Nigeria including domesticating international instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory. If this is the belief, where the ideals asleep on the night of the People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries? The women in attendance, the wife of the President, the wife of the vice president, the wives of PDP governors and the state women leaders, where they asleep that Sarah had to earn just one vote? Certainly not, so why was Sarah Jibril left alone?
It has been on the lips of these women that over the years they have been grossly marginalized in the power sharing arrangement, and worststill, relegated to the background in political issues. I guess they were truly asleep because of the too much running around within and outside the country, using money from the federal treasury to make buba and wrapper of different styles and colours, all in the name of empowering women to be given their right in the scheme of things.
Whether it is carrying a political under tone or not, the one woman, one vote which is the simpliest expression for Sarah Jibrils's effort is a “SHAME TO WOMEN”. Please ma, do not be dispirited. I praise your courage and boldness; at least you have proved to Nigerians that if given the opportunity, you will do well. Whatever her intentions to run for the presidency may be, it is obvious that Mrs. Jibril did make a statement, and has got to a level where many, especially men, dare to venture.
For those who believe with me, I feel that each of those women present at the primaries should be given lashes for disgracing womanhood. It is obvious that Sarah Jibril was the only one who voted for herself. Where is the women solidarity that Patience Godluck is preaching about? How can there be a 30% representation of women in our political affairs as a nation when there is no solidarity?
Sarah Jibril is not a neophyte in this business called politics; she has played her part and played it well. This is the fifth attempt she has made to run for the presidency. To cast our minds back, she fought for this ticket under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992. In 1998, she had General Olusegun Obasanjo to contend with under the People Democratic Party (PDP). In 2003, she moved to the Progressive Action Congress (PAC) to search for a Greenfield, but returned after losing out to People Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, where she scored four votes at the convention which the late Umaru Yar'Adua won. In all these attempt she failed as well as the recent PDP convention, which gave Goodluck Jonathan the mandate to run as its flag bearer.
Despite her shortcoming, I praise her bravery; she is not discouraged by the intimidating spirit of our male politicians, and thus should be seen as a stepping stone for all women who sincerely and truly fights for greatness and the common good of Nigerians. It is time for women themselves to take charge of their affairs and become the defenders and promoters of their own cause, and not allow petty jealousies and tightfistedness to destroy their future and those yet unborn.
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