2023 Elections: UN Women, WOWICAN Task Nigerian Women on Active Participation.
As the 2023 general elections in Nigeria draw closer, women have been charged to take advantage of their overwhelming number and influence in determining the right leadership for the country.
The Chairperson, Women's wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, WOWICAN, Ebonyi State, Lady Nwanyieze Nkwoagu, gave the counsel in a town hall meeting held Tuesday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
The town hall meeting was organized by WOWICAN, with support from the United Nations Women and the government of Canada.
Its focus was to mobilize and sensitize women to actively participate in the coming elections at all levels.
Lady Nkwoagu in her address at the event called on women to guard their permanent voter cards jealousy as it bears their power to change the nation's political narratives.
She noted that while prayers are important for the peaceful conduct of the polls, only active participation in the process would produce desired results.
Nwanyieze said: " If we shall get it right, we must forget about tribe, region or religion, and vote the person we know that is capable of bringing good change and leadership, so that Nigeria women, our children and every person will live in peace and the country will prosper.
"Prayers for the election is very important, but prayers are not counted at the polls during elections; what is counted is the number of votes cast.
"As women, we carry the voting power to make the positive change we need in Nigeria.
"Number of women put together can give victory to any person we want.
"Let us make use of it."
Presenting a goodwill message from the WOWICAN national chairperson, Deaconess Bolanle Victoria Ihesiulor, the State Project Director, Mrs Getrude Ndidi Onwuegbuna, represented by Elder Mrs Nkechi Chukwu, explained that the meeting was designed to extend reach on women, as well as clarify certain questions with regards to the 2023 elections in Nigeria.
"We have come together, especially as mother's to confront the disinterest associated with elections; to dissuade those of us who sell our votes, and to underline the fact that elections are about dialogue and not violence.
"We equally want to appeal to voters to consider and vote for credible women candidates" Ihesiulor added.
In a talk on Security preparedness before, during and after the elections, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Garba, represented by the command's Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration, DCP Regina Udoette, assured participants of the command's preparedness to nip all forms of violence that may impede the success of the polls.
The Commissioner urged the women and indeed, all electorates not to be afraid to come out to discharge their civic responsibilities, assuring that the safety of all citizens is top priority of the Force under the Inspector- General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.
Educating the women further, a representative of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Chinyere Okogwu explained that the introduction of the digital Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BIVAS, by INEC would guarantee a more credible polls than what was obtained in the past, as well as curb the the incidence of ballot box snatching and other forms of electoral violence.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event, including representatives of traditional institutions, the Clergy, and the Federation of Moslem Women Association in Nigeria, pledged to take the message of the meeting to their various domains.
Participants, however urged INEC to ensure the availability and functionality of the BVAS machine in all polling units during the elections.
They also called on the Police and other security agencies to match their words with action in ensuring that women and other citizens are protected from violence during the elections.
The women also offered prayers for the nation, and the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.