2023 : Female Governorship Candidates Vow To Outshine Men If Elected  – Unfold Agenda on Security, Education ,others 

Sola POPOOLA

Female governorship candidates in the 2023 General Election have said that they have what it takes to  fill leadership gap and address the  multifaceted challenges confronting their respective states.

They gave these  assurances at a media parley organised for them in Abuja  by Women Radio ,in  collaboration with UN Women with support from the Government of Canada.

 The programme i s part of the ongoing media training for political reporters and capacity building of female candidates by WARDC to increase participation of Women in Politics ahead of 2023

The forum afforded the female contestants to  market their political parties as well as their agenda .

At the  Parley, the female flagbearers outlined measures at tackling insecurity, infrastructural decays and raising the  education standard in states  to accommodate inclusion if  they are elected .

Speaking at the event ,Dr Ngozika Gladyns Johnson, a Medical Doctor and Governorship Candidate in Abia State under the Social Democratic Party Candidate (SDP) unfolded her plans to transform Abia State into a modern city in the areas of education, security and environmental issues.

 According to her  “for 31 years of Abia State, the men have tried their best but it is not good enough. I will transform Abia State to a modern city that all will be proud of”.

The  Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM, Funmilayo Kupoluyi Abiodun identified road congestion and flooding as major challenge in the state.

Kupoluyi stated her optimism about using her wealth of experience in managing the affairs of the state and improving the education sector.

Binta Umar of the Action Alliance (AA) party who is contesting for Governor of Jigawa State lamented the high rate of unemployment amongst the youths and poverty among the populace. Umar pledged to combat this menace if elected into office in 2023.Engr. Roseline Ada Chenge, Gubernatorial Candidate of Benue State of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Former General Manager of Benue State Water Board said  “The Perfect Bridge” that will fix the security challenges in Benue state. Chenge who is contesting for the 3rd time said she will employ all resources including sophisticated and modern technology to tackle insecurity

She said. “Benue state as the food basket of the nation under my tenure if elected will reduce food wastage and encourage local food production which in turn will enhance the standard of lives of farmers who are majorly women.”

IMotunrayo Jaiyeola Deborah, Kwara State Gubernatorial Candidate on the platform of Alliance People’s Movement (APM) thanked Women Radio and UN Women for the opportunity to highlight her agenda stating Security, Empowerment, and focus on Persons With Disabilities as part of her cabinet will be her core mandate.

Khadijah Abdullahi Iya, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) gubernatorial candidate for Niger state lamented the present state of Niger, the educational sector and the poverty level of the citizens

 Highlighting her core values with the acronym EARS – Empathy, Accountability, Responsibility and Service. Iya said her plans for Niger State are SERVICE- Security, Education, Rural Inclusion and Agriculture, Vital Health, Industrialization, Commerce and Trade and E-Governance.

The female candidates,therefore  expressed their gratitude to Women Radio and UNWOMEN for the opportunity to engage the media directly as this is a rare value-added opportunity that money cannot buy.