A lawmaker in the Imo House of Assembly, Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, has urged female aspirants to take advantage of the reduced prices of nomination forms and participate actively in politics.
Obiefule, representing Isu state constituency, made the call in Owerri on Thursday while reacting to the reduction of prices of nomination forms for intending female aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
She described the decision as a welcome development which would not only spur women politicians to increased participation, but also create the opportunity for gender balancing in politics.
The lawmaker said that in the past, she had ran two elections under the platform of the APC “but never paid a dime”, and thanked the party for maintaining its legacy of price reduction for women.
“Women have bitterly complained about being marginalised, therefore, the decision to strike out payment of nomination forms for women is a wonderful step in the right direction.
“For example, a woman running for the Federal House of Representatives seat will have to pay only the expression of interest fee of N1m rather than a combined fee of N10m. This is a welcome development,” she said.
She called on women not to be discouraged by the possible financial implications of political campaigns but to channel their energies towards building viable, generally acceptable and achievable manifestos that would attract the support of the electorate.
She noted that womanhood did not inhibit participation in politics and called on women to take advantage of the amended electoral Act to prove themselves.
“I was the first woman to run for the House of Assembly in my Local Government Area. I had to challenge myself and today, the evidence is clear, women can succeed in politics,” she said.
She further called on Nigerians, especially youths, not to sell their votes but to choose the right persons for the right elective positions for the general good of the country.
She however, called for a downward review of the prices of nomination and expression of interest forms so as to accommodate more well-intentioned intending aspirants.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ruling APC has asked its intending female aspirants not to pay for nomination forms but for the expression of interest form. (NAN)
