2011: Patience Joanathan makes case against thuggery
Wife of the President, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan has advised women in the South West zone to monitor their wards and discourage them from being used as political thugs come 2011. (Photo: Dame Patience Jonathan)
Stressing the importance of credible polls in a genuine democracy, she said nothing could be likened to credible polls which President Goodluck Jonathan has been emphasizing on since he assumed office.
She reminded thousands of women of the Peoples Democratic Party of the need to participate actively in political activities so that they could hold respectable positions in the next election.
Mrs. Goodluck Jonathan told Nigerian women to play active role in the election adding that there was no position in the world that women had not occupied.
She said, “As we prepare for the 2011 elections, as mothers we should discourage those who are involved in political violence. We must kick against our children being used as thugs. We must discourage them from doing evil.
“As men call us to wear social wears, sing and dance for them, we should remember that the President said every vote counts. Every woman should register and vote for credible candidates. We need more women in the Senate, House of Representatives, State Assembly and chairmen of local governmentâ€.
On political violence, she continued, “it is the women who are worst hit. As mothers, we women in the South West should be ambassadors of peace. Where there are differences, we should use wisdom to arrive at a reasonable conclusionâ€.
Making reference to the Liberian President, Mrs. Sir Helen SirLeaf, Vice President of the World Bank, Mrs. Ngozi Iweala and other notable women who had held enviable positions, she encouraged them to aspire more so that they can be included in the mainstream of politics across the country.
Daughter of the former president, Mrs. Iyabo Obasanjo_ Bello said in 1999, two women were in the Senate, in 2003 four women and eight women in 2007. She was optimistic that the figure could jump to 16 in 2011.
She said this just as some people from one side of the stadium booed her. But, the blaring of speakers and other voice enhancing instruments drowned their voices.
Mrs. Kemi Alao Akala itemized various achievements that her husband had recorded since he assumed office and called on all women to be more active.
In attendance were governor Adebayo Alao Akala, wives of Governors of Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Oyo States.
By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan, Nigeria
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