28-year-old lady wins APC primary election in Enugu
Joel Oladele, Abuja
The passage of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill has given young people a chance and a sense of belonging in the Nigeria’s political landscape.
Consequently, young Nigerians have made a successful mark in politics of the country with an estimated population of 190 million, 60% of whom are youths between the ages of 18 and 35, which simply means youths form the majority of the electorates.
As political parties seek for credible candidates to represent them at various levels in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, worthy of note is 28-year-old Jennifer Ndubuisi who won the Awgu North State Constituency of Enugu State in the just concluded State Assembly Election.
Her victory has been described by Nigerians on social media as a good development to our democracy as she’s not only young but also a lady.
Some also commend the All Progressive Congress (APC) for being a gender and youth friendly party, according to them, her aspiration would not have been made possible but for the magnanimity of the leadership of the party. Recall that APC has recently reduced the cost of expression of interest form for its female aspirants.
Jennifer who contested with one other aspirant won by 14 votes in an open field election, her victory was challenged and they were mandated to go for a re-run election when she won again with 16 votes, leaving her rival, Nwabisi Elozie James with 9 votes.
Nigerian NewsDirect also gathered that if Jennifer eventually wins the seat which is currently occupied by a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eneh Jane Chinwendu by 2023, her victory will be unprecedented as the youngest female Nigerian Lawmaker and the youngest (male/female) in the history of Enugu State.
Celebrating her victory, Jennifer hinged it on God’s favour and the support of her godmother, Hon. Ginka Toe of Federal Character who did not only pay for her expression of interest fee but also singlehandedly sponsored the election process which produced her as the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
She expressed her gratitude to God Almighty for blessing her with good people, with the promise not to let them down if given the chance to lead his people.
Reiterating her promises, she told them to expect dividends of democracy through, adequate representation, capacity building, attraction of government aids and incentives, attraction of employment opportunities to the youths, advocacy for young female politicians, skill acquisition programmes for the people of her state constituency and beyond, among others.
“My world best mama, thank you for always standing up for women in Nigeria, thank you for speaking for us, thank you for making sure our voices are heard, always standing and insisting on inclusion of women and youths in Nigerian politics, thank you for your financial support, love, kindness, thank you for standing up for the women of Enugu state yesterday and allowing justice take place despite the challenges. Women and youths of Enugu state are so blessed and proud to have you,” the female aspirant said.
Recounting how the first election was held, in which she won but was nullified due to some conspiracies surrounding the outcome, Jennifer said she was determined to win, she stood her ground in making sure the second election was conducted in which she then again won by becoming the youngest female flag bearer of the All progressive congress party.
