One expectedINEC to be truly focused and steadfast, but this message of postponement comingonly a few hours from the election has demoralized a lot of people.
We had over 36months to prepare. Abundant funds, human resources, sophisticated equipment weremade available and other logistics provided.
Foreignobservers had arrived security personnel were deployed.
In all of thesewomen and children are the hardest hit. Majority have relocated to their hometowns and withdrawn children from schools. Their businesses have come to astandstill. It is more devastating for women who lost their lives, their lovedones or got injured in the heat of the elections campaign in Abeokuta, Kano, Banghi-Gombe express road, Kebbi and lately Port-Harcourt.In the same vein, some women have been recently widowed on account of electionmatters. Some others who were involved in road crashes androbbery attacks while travelling to vote are still languishing in differenthospitals. Petty traders, 90% of whom are women have had their businessesclosed since Thursday to give way for a peaceful and supposedly free and fairelection, which sadly has been postponed.
Most commercialactivities were also brought to a stand-still and the economy has beennegatively affected including the banks.
With the numericstrength of the Nigerian women, it is apparent that they are also bothphysically and mentally strong to move the nation to a higher level not onlywith their will-power but patriotism especially in voting and faith-basedissues and entrepreneurship. Sadly enough this is not to be, because women havebeen perpetually confined to “Second Class Position”. In spite of the immense strugglefor women’s voice to be heard and for them to be seen and their higheducational achievements, we are stilldowntrodden because the women have chosen to be political jugglers anddictators.
Sadly, in DeltaState only about 6 women have obtained their approvals from their parties tocontest in the forth coming elections, where over 100 men have been vetoed tocontest. This is happening in a state where 75% of the women have the votes. Needlessto say that when chips are down, the women are only considered for womenleaders and mobilizers, while the juicy jobs are for the men. (Thereis God Oh!)
There is anotherdehumanizing story which video I am sending with this mail. The SSA to oursitting Governor caused this torture and in-human treatment to a woman whorefused his sexual advances. Unfortunately, 2 or 3 women were involved in thesad incidence (His name his Eluho FromAgbor, The Governor’s Place, He instructed his boys to bring the woman to hishouse and that was the torture took place). We urge the Judiciary, HumanRights and Gender champions to take necessary action. I WILL GIVE YOU FURTHERDETAILS.
In conclusion, I am gladdened that women activists have refused to give up and have remained undaunted. We have rather doubled our efforts and have continued to appeal to women whose spirits have been dampened by the postponement to come out enmasse to make the changes where necessary.
I rest my case.
