The Abia Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), at the March 9, guber poll, Hon Blessing Nwagba, has disclosed that it is very embarrassing for a state as Abia, not have a female Legislator, saying it is a total disregard to the 35% affirmative action given to the women in Nigeria.
Briefing newsmen shortly after a post election meeting with the campaign council and the entire SDP party executives and candidates, Hon Nwagba stressed the need for political parties to ensure conscious efforts at women inclusion in governance in Nigeria and Abia state in particular.
According to her, when the women are actively involved in policy making, it will not only give them a sense of belonging but will create a balance in the House thereby curbing any form of discrimination.
Nwagba said her governorship drive was necessitated by the belief that Abia deserves better and that a woman can do it better.
She said the lack of support from the party at the National level as well as the betrayal from some LGA party chairmen in the state five days to the gubernatorial election, scuttled her chances of winning the gubernatorial election.
The former lawmaker said she has been into active politics since 1991 to 2018 when she won the SDP gubernatorial ticket, describing the experiences in all as enormous and enriching, calling for more women to be given a chance to contribute their own quota.
She appreciated God for the ingenuity to re- strategize and drive the election to a logical conclusion contrary to the propaganda that she had withdrawn from the guber race.
Nwagba, however, noted that her governorship bid was done with great commitment, as she successfully carried out her campaigns across the 17 LGAs in the state, acquired a befitting campaign headquarters, attended governorship debates, signed the Peace Accord among other activities that helped put the party in the front line.
She further reiterated the need for the incoming National Assembly and the President to see to the assenting of the Electoral Act and ensure the use of electronic card reader to forestall excessive malpractices as experienced in the concluded elections, while urging the winners across board to study the manifestos of their fellow candidates and adopt ideas that could add value to development and governance.
