By Ikeugonna Eleke
Former minister of Women Affairs, and Women’s Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Josephine Anenih, has urged female politicians wishing to contest election against their male counterparts to adopt a militant disposition, just like the Senator representing Anambra Central, Mrs Uche Ekwunife.
Anenih who spoke in Awka, while addressing female members of the party, said the time had passed when women presented themselves as the weaker sex, hoping to ride on the wings of sentiments to power.
She said men were equally in need of political positions and would not surrender to women on a platter.
Anenih said, ‘You already have an example in our senator here, Senator Uche Ekwunife. You have no reason to cry about marginalization while contesting for elective positions.
‘We are moving towards governorship election in Anambra State, and we call on women who have interest to begin early to show so. Don’t just contest for the sake of contesting, but contest with all your might.
‘You can see Ekwunife and how militant she was with her election, and it was the men that were running away from her, and today she is a senator. That is what we expect from all women in Anambra who wish to stand for election,’ Anenih said.
She also charged the leaders of the party to always consider women while choosing people into committees, especially as the election drew close.
She said 35 per cent was not enough for women any longer as they constituted the bulk of the party and also the voting public.
‘We will accept only 40per cent membership of every committee constituted in this party, and only that can underscore the importance of women in the party,’ Anenih insisted.
