Women’s involvement in politics varies throughout the world, and their participation in politics and the democratic processes has become an integral part of contemporary discourse on development and governance. In spite of the clamour for women’s political empowerment by international organizations, research consistently shows that in many parts of the world women still linger on the fringes of political realm and their participation in government structures and the democratic processes remains low.
Prior to this period in Kogi State, women constitute 50 percent of the population and 51 percent of voters in elections, yet they do not enjoy their full political rights as their male counterparts, but Governor Yahaya Bello said his administration tagged “New Direction” is ready for an all inclusive governance, with women in politics maintaining substantial position in his agenda, because their roles is not limited to the kitchen and other room as believed by many leftists.
On December 18th, 2020, Hon. Martha Moses, who hailed from Ojoku, in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State set a remarkable and laudable records which will arguably take many decades to find a distinct gem to break that record as she become the first Female Vice Chairman in Ankpa Local Government.
There have been the proverbial glass ceiling hindering women participation in politics not only in Ankpa local government but Nigeria in its entirety. It is the thoughts of plethora of people in the council that women cannot occupy the public space because of the general biased argument that has hitherto relegated their position to the kitchen.
It is believed that they do not have anything to offer in the society, as they are merely perceived as object of procreation and necessary machines for domestic chores. Dispelling these misleading disposition as cloned in gender biases will certainly be a topic for another day.
Protagonists of the opinion that women cannot do anything laudable in the public space are encouraged to pay either a courtesy visit or engage on facts finding tour to Ankpa Local Government Secretariat today to unravel the political cum administrative achievements of Hon. Martha Moses within the shortest period of her assumption of duty.
Convincingly, it has undeniably reached a point where those that subscribed to the assertion that “the position of women is in the kitchen” to start seeing the voice of reasons as to why women should be given the opportunity to occupy the public space beyond the scope of the local council.
Just like men are desperate to outshine their master in the Office, Martha has unexpectedly showcased the otherwise with dedication, selflessness and overly allegiance not only to his principal but to the office she occupy. Consequently, she serve as a mirror to many women aspiring to participate in politics and also a point of reference to those that have ceaselessly showed their contempt and great disregard to potentials inherent in women.
In the political history of the council, it has been difficult to see a situation where Vice chairman and his principal are harmoniously eating from one plate, always brainstorming on modalities and trends capable of propelling the council to a higher level of development. Whose administration is confidently sending his Vice to represent him without the fear of usurpation? Nobody except for the administration of Abagwu and Martha.
Hon. Martha has performed beyond people’s imagination/expectations. She is always calm, humbled, committed, and tact whenever she is on her official duties. She has represented her boss on numerous occasion without any iota of disloyalty and dissatisfaction. This is how governance should look.
It is important to note that if substantial slots is given to women as obtainable among their men counterpart at the states and federal level, I believe this country would achieve unhindered socio-economic and political progress. It is argued that women are susceptible to engage in doing good job, and maintain a corruption free profile than the men.
For instance, the former Minister of Finance who is now Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and also Ahmed Zainab, who is currently overseeing the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, have obviously maintained an enviable track records in our democratic dispensation. This is not to say less of Hon. Martha Moses who is epitomizing the positive steps of the aforementioned.
One valuable lesson that should not be jettisoned nor compromised is that, our struggle and decisions should not solely lie on electing men into our political offices, but a deliberate attempt should be made to isolate and elect credible candidates from pool of periodical aspirants devoid of gender prejudice or rancour.
The notion that men can do everything without corresponding amplification of women that have laid their imprints in the anal of history has been a greater disservice to this unique gender. Hon. Martha, Zainab Ahmed, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Balarabe Hadiza and many more, has/had served remarkably and should serve as an eye opener to all of us with this biased view.
We are as a people can only advance in our national development formula and strategies, the moment we objectively integrate our women into our national political calculations.
– Ismail Coded
Special Adviser on Media Publicity to Vice Chairman Ankpa LG.
Great job, Mr Ismail Coded. Your message was well coded that we can’t make anything out of your message