The Center for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative (CIPDI) has called on Nigeria’s political parties and their governorship candidates across the states, to consider nominating women as running mates.
The call by the President of the Centre, Mr Ifeanyi Nwanoro in a statement on Tuesday, is coming as flag bearers of the parties have emerged and electioneering about to commence.
“We must learn to groom and mentor the next generation of Leaders to move our country forward.
“Our elites need to create opportunities for women, and youths to rise and shine; and women and youths need to engage actively in governance and electoral processes.
“We are calling on all the serving governors and the chieftains of all the political parties to prevail on the male guber candidates to pick women as their running mates.
“If the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and scores of others, who have men flying their party flags pick women as running mates, whichever party that wins come 2023, we will have a woman Deputy Governor.
“We are counting on His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi the executive Governor of Enugu state, who started the trend to take the lead on this advocacy for more women deputy Governors.
“We also call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to keep voter registration open, because we have people turning 18 every day, and this will give them the opportunity to register to vote,” the statement reads.
