Women wing of Benue State chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC), yesterday thronged the seat of government in Makurdi to protest to their non inclusion in governance.
The women displayed play cards with various inscriptions such as, ‘women are more tested and proven’, ‘no 50 percent affirmative action, no vote’, ‘appoint more women as appointees not just dancers and clappers,’ etc.
The group spokesperson, Mrs Priscilla Achapa, who addressed Governor Samuel Ortom and the party stakeholders lamented that women have not been carried along as it ought to be in the present administration.
They explained that they were part of the change mantra but regretted that their struggle and sweat during the campaign have not yielded fruits.
They called on the governor to involve more women in his administration just as they demanded to have 15 out of the 23 local government chairmen in the forth coming council polls.
“As critical stakeholders in this administration, what deserve better treatment, we are requesting 40 slots of councillors, 15 out of the 23 council chairmen in the forth coming local government election.”
While responding to their grievances, Dr Samuel Ortom applauded the women for the peaceful protest and assured them that their demands would be looked into at the ongoing party stakeholders meeting.
The state party chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro said that the party was gender sensitive, this, he said, made the party to give out interest and nomination forms for coming local government election free for women during the sales of forms.
Wife of the governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom who was at the party stakeholders meeting appealed to the stakeholders to listen to the cry of the women, she enjoyed the party stakeholders to work with the governor to be able to deliver the desired dividends of democracy.