Source: All Africa
The PDP Presidential primaries have come and gone, leaving a question on the lips of many Nigerians if the participation of Nigerian women in politics is just mere lip service.

 

Ruth Tene Natsa wonders if the women are only paying lip service to the idea that women should be involved in politics. Excerpts:

How else can one describe the singular vote cast (which was by the way self-voted),at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential convention where not a single vote was allotted to the only female candidate, Sarah Jubril , by both men and women delegates alike.

It is not unrealistic in the Nigerian setting that men hate to be ruled by women due to religious and traditional reasons because most of them are of the view, that the place of a woman is in the home (kitchen), but what of the women that keep crying for equality, the same that keep crying for a chance to rule, the ones that opine that what a man can do, women can do better (much better)?

This show of lack of faith in the Nigerian woman has made me realise that imbued in the Nigerian woman is a strength and determination never to give up in spite of the many challenges facing us. Sarah Jubril has shown severally, that she is not one to give up, despite the many disappointments that have dogged her political foray and for that I doff my hat to a great woman.

This was made obvious in the picture of Sarah Jubril after the results were announced, a woman who stood tall among equals and non-equals alike. A lesser woman on hearing the results would have been crushed, yes she looked unhappy and disappointed (I would have been if not a single person in the whole Eagle Square considered me worthy to achieve my dream by giving me a vote because I am worthy, or for sympathy's sake.

The Nigerian woman is ably represented in the person of Sarah Jubril and that is in the fact that no matter the disappointments, she never gives up. Or else, how does one describe a woman who has run for the presidency of the country thrice and had been rejected thrice again, refusing to give in to the despondence that would have been the natural reaction of several others in her shoes, yet she had kept on.

An educationists who pleaded anonymity stated that he was of the opinion that Nigerian women could achieve a lot in the nation's political setting, but considered it a big shame that women delegates could not even vote for one of their own, it just goes to show that women are enemies of themselves and do not wish success even for themselves. But again, we must realise that charity begins at home, and until the women begin to show support for themselves, they cannot expect the men to take them serious, he added

With the 1st lady's (Dame Patience Jonathan) programme, Women for Change Initiative (W4C), one would have expected better participation and support for the only woman that stood up to give women a voice and a chance at the presidency (one chance) in the PDP, but with the outcome of the convention, I am forced to accept the argument of several men that Nigerian women are not ready to wear the girdle of leadership that would put them at the helm of affairs.

I have heard people say, the first lady could not have voted against her husband, but then it all makes one to say the programme (W4C) is just lip service and holds no hope for the Nigerian women, if they would continually sacrifice their dreams and programmes for the success of that of their husbands. It would make more sense if the women would live by what they preach .

Since the Nigerian woman has refused to vote for her own, I dare say, the Nigerian woman is stuck with taking political crumbs from what the men mete out to them, they would continue to give them (the women) compensative positions even when we are capable of wearing the cap, the portfolios will continue to be compensative at the detriment of the women's growth, political participation and unity and who knows in the next generation, women will be pushed back to where they were before, the kitchen.

We have seen women who excelled in their fields, not giving an inch to the men. We need not go far to search for this women, as they are right here with us, whether we choose to recognise them or not, so why the fear to give women a chance? Why must we continue to shutter ourselves against success and progress? Why must we continue to be called enemies of ourselves?

Former minister of Finance and present Managing Director of the World Bank, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has proven that we could be better than what our male counterparts want us to believe, we could be better educated, better remunerated and definitely better at governance, a friend says it is the fear of competition that makes the men belittle the efforts of women, it is not in doubt that women have to work twice as hard as men to be half appreciated.

The new position of Nigerian women in politics is fast spreading its tentacles of support and power base, but if we are not careful, we will lose the support we have gained, the sympathy we have achieved and the popularity we are slowly, but surely gaining.

Former minister for Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, honourably has kept the flag flying by maintaining her political stand. She is one of the few success stories in Nigerian government and politics, having successfully served two terms as Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) , she was a success as a minister of information, until she chose to retire and join politics, to run for a Senatorial position under the umbrella of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and succeeded at the primaries.

With what little is seen now, we cannot be optimistic about the women in politics and pray that the decision to resign from her ministerial position and run for a senatorial seat was a wise one. What happens if she fails, or if at the last minute Nigerians fail to vote for her?

Sunny Whyte Ndukuba , a Lagos businessman is of the view that Nigerians are only paying lip service to the emancipation of women in politics, adding that those who hold forte are good at talking, but when it comes to action, they are lacking. Even the minister for Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih who had gone on air to make all kinds of promises could not come to the aid of her fellow woman.

The minister for Women Affairs, had promised all forms of support for any woman that comes out for any elective political post (financial and otherwise), she gave no conditions to the support, so lots of people presumed unconditional support to any woman who opted for an elective post, but from the one vote of Sarah Jubril, one should know what to expect, subsequently.

Barrister Esther Uzoma a human rights activists, believes the Nigerian woman is a logistical person who calculates every step she takes and wouldn't have voted for Sarah Jubril who had failed to close ranks with the grassroots constituency (women), she refused to associate herself with the women who should have voted for her, she added.

• Nigeria