The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has urged political parties and their presidential candidates to pick female candidates as running mates in order to have an elected female vice president of Nigeria.
National President of NAWOJ, Ladi Bala, who made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the appeal was in the interest of inclusive society and development.
The appeal follows the conclusion of political parties’ presidential primary elections on June 9 as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Bala commended all registered political parties for successful conventions and election of their presidential flagbearers and the demonstration of the sense of responsibility by the political parties in the conduct of their primaries.
She however stressed the need for a gender sensitive representation in the entire political equation and balancing, adding that this has become imperative.
“It is against this backdrop that the Association hereby appeal to political parties to in the interest inclusive society and development, should consider picking a woman as running mate for the office of president and governors of the respective states.
“It’s worrisome to note that rumours making the rounds are suggestive of male candidates being considered for the office of vice president by political parties. This posture will not only negate the contribution of women to nation building but, also endanger an inclusive governance in Nigeria where all demography clearly indicate the need for a sense of belonging and giving equal opportunity for females to serve at the highest level,” she said.
According to her, “the time has come for the promotion of gender equality in political leadership in Nigeria to be accorded the center stage particularly as we head towards the 2023 General Elections to help reposition the country and properly situate it in its pride of place and position as the giant of Africa not only in size but in involvement in global discourse.”
NAWOJ also called on journalists and media organisations in the country to rise to the occasion of setting agenda for a more inclusive governance in Nigeria.
