Group criticizes political parties in Kwara for excluding women in LG elections

An NGO, Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV), has decried women’s exclusion by political parties in the ongoing local government election primaries in Kwara.

Executive Director of WOYODEV, Mrs Apiriola Ajayi, stated this at a news conference in Ilorin on Wednesday.
Ajayi urged all the political parties to honour the 35 per cent Affirmative Action in zoning elective positions, preparatory to the primaries.
According to her, there is reduction in support for women, as against with the various promises made by the political parties.

“We affirm that the subtle exclusion of women by political parties is a significant barrier to achieving gender parity in political representation.
“As such, we call for a robust appraisal by parties to mitigate this and encourage the prioritisation of women participation for a better Kwara,” she said.

The executive director enjoined civil society organisations, women’s groups and the media to raise awareness and create a more supportive environment for the women in politics in the state.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of Strategic Advocacy for Increased Women Participation in Politics, Hajiya Bilkis Oladimeji, noted that political parties in the state had neglected the 35 per cent affirmative action in zoning positions in the local government areas.

“Parties have not taken into cognisance the 35 per cent affirmative action in zoning positions in the LGAs elections,” she stated.
Oladimeji noted that the women’s platform had been monitoring local government primaries and Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC), preparatory to the elections scheduled for September.
She, however, commended the state government for setting machineries in motion for the conduct of the council election.
The chairperson also lauded political parties in the state for gearing up for the elections.