Onyedi Igwe, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on Nigerian women to organize a protest march against the All Progressives Congress on the 2022 International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023 to protest the rejection of the gender bills at the National Assembly.
The Governor lamented that the five gender bills deliberately designed to create more political opportunities and women participation in politics were thrown away by the APC-controlled National Assembly.
Wike said that the NASS reaction to the gender bills was indicative of the unwillingness of the APC to amend the constitution to pave the way for more opportunities for women in politics.
The Governor spoke at a civic reception organised in his honour by the Ekpeye ethnic nationality at Ahoada Town in Ahoada East Local Government Area on Saturday.
“I hear on Tuesday there will be celebration of International Women’s Day. I ask Nigerian women, what are you celebrating? Other countries can celebrate their women, Nigeria cannot celebrate their women.
“Take that particular day, demonstrate against APC, which has refused women to be recognised in this country.
“Don’t go there and begin to dance, there is nothing to dance about until they recognise you. It is only when Nigeria recognises you , then you can dance.”
The Governor said that there is serious improvement in women participation in politics in Rivers State.
According to him, all the vice-chairmen of the 23 Local Government areas are women in addition at least five female councillors in each of the Councils.
The Governor thanked the Ekpeye people who supported him as governor of the state.
He said that though Ekpeye kingdom was long forgotten, six traditional stools in the land were upgraded to first class status when God’s appointed time came.
The Ekpeye council of traditional rulers conferred on Governor Wike the Eze Ugbabuzewe Ekpeye Olu of Ekpeye land (The leader who has uplifted Ekpeye ethnic nation).
Wike who said he has fulfilled Electoral promises to the area awarded the reconstruction of the Ochigba/Ogbologbolo/Ozochi Road and the recognition of Ugbobi traditional stool to first class status in the area.
