2023: PDP inaugurates Women Committee for interface, mobilization
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday inaugurated “Women Action Committee” to interface with its leaders as well as mobilise for the party ahead of 2023 general elections.
The committee is chaired by Sen. Biodun Olujimi, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District.
PDP National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus, inaugurating the committee in Abuja, urged women to take up their leading role in the unity, as well as political and social development of the country.
He advised women of the party to take up their roles in mobilising for PDP ahead of 2023 general elections, saying people are waiting to see PDP women in action.
Secondus described women as a critical force in terms of population and registered voters, saying women and youth would make the difference.
He advised women to speak out on issues affecting the country, including insecurity, low women representation in government, among others
“You have a very important role to play in our country today.
“If this country must remain one, if this country must remain united, be revived and if we must get it back on track, women must be at the forefront to lead for the revival of our country.
“If you don’t come out to speak out, it will be difficult.”
Secondus noted that the party was already working on programmes and guidelines that would encourage women and youth to participate more in the leadership and electoral process of the country.
He said that issue of 35 per cent affirmative action was already taken by the party, which believed that it must drive it to logical conclusion.
“We are also setting new guidelines that will give youth and women free forms and also give them some form of preference.
“We believe that if PDP form government in 2023, it will be 50-50 between men and women because women have what is needed for national development.”
Secondus commended women of the party for recommending such committee would deepen the internal democracy.
“We are not surprised that the women met and agreed that a committee of this nature be set up to go and interact and interface with leaders of our party and country to give more attention to democracy,” he said.
PDP National Women Leader, Hajia Mariya Waziri, said the idea of the committee was agreed upon at the party’s National women summit held last month.
Waziri said that the committee would serve as a lobby and mobilization committee toward the 2023 general elections.
She expressed concern over women representation in the just concluded three zonal congresses of the party, saying the story remains the same.
Olujimi, speaking for the committee, noted that empowering women is a very smart political move that political parties would greatly benefit from.
She said that the inauguration of the committee would go a long way to give PDP women a sense of belonging, allow for healthy networking and build confidence in the political process.
Olujimi said that it would also ensure internal democracy and strengthen commitment of women to the ideals of justice, equity and fairness.
“This is another agenda setting program of our party for other parties to emulate.
“No doubt, women, constitute over 50 per cent of our society and of our party, and the need to always honor them is important.
“The formation of this lobby group is a challenge to everyone, including our leaders, on the need to always factor women into the development of our party and the nation at large.
“It is right to say women are an integral part of any strong and forward looking party, such as PDP.
“In fact, the participation of women in the socio-political and cultural affairs is not just a goal but central to sustainability of the democratic process.
“The process starts from arrangements like this lobby group being inaugurated today.”
Olujimi pledged total commitment of the committee members to the preference given to them.
“We promise to achieve results in the given task,” she said.
