IWD: PDP Chairman advocates for female President in Nigeria says men failed
BY MAHMUD TAHIR, Dutse.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has expressed the hope that the next president of Nigeria should be a woman, saying men have failed Nigerians.
Damagum stated this at an event to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration at the party headquarters in Abuja.
The IWD is being celebrated worldwide annually on March 8. The United Nations officially endorsed this date in 1977, establishing it as a day to honour women worldwide.
The theme for this year’s IWD campaign, from the IWD website is #InspireInclusion. Collectively, we can all #InspireInclusion.
Damagum, represented by the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, stressed the significant role of mothers and women, stating that it cannot be overstated while highlighting the PDP as the sole party providing opportunities for women to succeed.
“The significance of mothers and the role of women cannot be overstated. Let me be sincere with you, I pray and hope that, even if not in our generation, one day a woman will become the president of this country. I say this with utmost sincerity and from the depth of my heart because I believe that the men have failed this generation,” he said.
“In politics, that’s why the founding fathers of PDP recognise the importance of women. Today, in Nigeria, no matter how you look at it, PDP is the most democratic party in Nigeria and Africa. It’s the only party that provides women with the opportunity to aspire to any position without having to buy any form. We do this to encourage women.”
Earlier, PDP National Woman Leader, Amina Divine Arong, emphasised that achieving gender equality in political participation and leadership is essential for reaching sustainable development goals by 2030.
Arong said despite women being recognised as influential catalysts for positive change with demonstrated advantages, women still face significant underrepresentation in politics and other fields.
She said: “The importance of having women in leadership positions cannot be overemphasised as result has shown clearly that Companies and organisations led by women seem to have fared better than their counterparts during times of financial crisis.
Having women as leaders and decision-makers at all levels is critical to advancing gender justice, and gender equality and furthers economic, social, and political progress for all.
“While it is important that we continue to advocate for the active participation of women in politics in Nigeria, it is also very key that we imbibe the culture of actively supporting women and girls into leadership positions as well as involve them in decision-making processes.”
She stressed that women need to be inspired to pursue leadership roles and must be adequately trained, prepared, and capable of fulfilling such positions.
She added that women already in leadership roles should facilitate access to opportunities for growth and development.
