LG Election: Group Decries Exclusion of women-candidates By Political Parties in Kwara

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV) has called on political parties to honor the 35 percent affirmative action in zoning positions within the Local Government Areas in Kwara.

Mrs Apiriola Ajayi, the Executive Director
WOYODEV stated this on Wednesday during a news conference organized in Ilorin.

According to her, there is need to address the subtle exclusion of women of women by political patties in the ongoing local government election primaries in Kwara.

She lamented that there is reduced support for women in accordance with various promises and pledges.

She emphasized the significant barriers to achieving gender parity in political representation.

“We affirm that the subtle exclusion of women candidates 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 prioritization of women participation for better Kwara,” she said.

Ajayi urged civil society organizations, women’s groups, and the media to raise awareness and create a more supportive environment for women in politics in Kwara State

Also speaking, Hajiya Bilkis Oladimeji, the Chairperson of Strategic Advocacy for Increased Women Participation in Politics, observe that political parties in Kwara have neglected the 35 percent affirmative action in zoning positions within local government areas.

She noted that the women’s platform has been monitoring local government primaries and the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission KWSIEC, in preparation for the upcoming elections.

“Parties have not taking into cognizance the 35 per cent affirmative action in zoning position in the LGAs elec,” she lamented.

Oladimeji pointed out that the women platform will continue to follow keenly the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission preparation towards the LG elections coming up in September, 2024.

She however, commended the state government for setting up machineries to ensure the election holds, and also political parties for gearing up towards the election. (NAN)

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