Source: AllAfrica
Aggrieved female aspirants who failed to clinch the party's ticket in the last Peoples Democratic Party's primaries have been advised not to leave the party.

 

Wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Dame Judith Amaechi, who gave the advise on Wednesday during separate meetings with Rivers State Female Aspirants Forum at Government House, Port Harcourt also appealed to wives of elected public officers who failed to be re-nominated for re-election to prevail on their husbands to remain in the PDP.

Mrs Amaechi said reports across the country on the performances of female aspirants in the last primaries showed an abysmal outing.

"The report in the country on women participation in the last primaries was not encouraging".

Governor Amaechi's wife said something drastic must be done including legislation on the number of elective and appointive position to be reserved for women.

She stated that the advocacy on women political empowerment championed on the platform of the women for change initiated by the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan has triggered so much interest and concern in the number of women who participated in the last primaries of political parties especially in the PDP.

The governor's wife appealed to political parties including the PDP to reconsider their pledge to support female aspirants as they prepare for primaries for election of party's flag bearers in the forthcoming local government elections.

"I want to appeal to party executives especially the PDP to reserve at least three councillorship slots in each of the 23 LGAs for women. This will go a long way to sooth the frail nerve, because women are partners in progress".

Similarly, Mrs Amaechi also appealed to wives of elected officers either at national or state house of assembly who failed to be re-nominated for re-election to prevail on their husbands not to leave the party.

According to her she said "all effort should be made to persuade your husband from falling for Greek gifts offered by other political parties who have nothing to offer the electorate".

Rivers First Lady asserted that PDP has enough opportunities for its members, adding that real party men who remain in the party despite their grievances will not be forgotten.

She advised the women not to push the men into taking irrational decision that will mortgage the interest of the people but to help them on the path of honour.

• Nigeria