The National Women Leader of Labour Party, Dugu Manuga, on Monday, said for Peter Obi’s presidency to be realised women need to take ownership of the electioneering process.
Speaking during the State Labour Party and ‘Obidient’ women mobilisation engagement held in Gombe to sensitise groups ahead of 2023 elections, Manuga, reminded them about their power to determine the success of their candidates.
According to Manuga, there was need for women to reach out, engage, mobilise, organise and protect their mandate, stressing that without which the aspiration of Obi would not be realistic.
The Punch reports that the meeting also featured the presentation of reports by women leaders from Akko, Yalmatu and Deba local government areas.
She said without ownership the results may sway against the favour of the party’s candidate.
Manuga said, “We have to take ownership, and make sure we do what we need to do, so that Labour Party will come out successful in Gombe and the Nation at large. We will protect our mandate.”
Commenting further, the women leader explained, “Women take ownership when they see themselves as the ones who can make what you are aspiring for happen. If I see that the burden is on me for Labour Party to win then I have taken ownership and I will do within my own power to work for the party’s success at polling, ward levels. You should feel that if Labour Party fails where I am at, then I have failed.”
While commending the foresight of Obi, especially in the involvement of women in campaign, Manuga said Obi would meet the 35 percent affirmative action, if elected.
“Peter Obi says he will give women appointments 35-40 percent. It will not be less than 35 percent. Remember when he was governor of Anambra State, it was 40 percent, not just 40 percent he gave strong positions to women that traditionally they don’t give women,” Manuga added.
Also speaking, State Women Leader, Yelwa Manzo, called on women to get involved in ensuring the successes of Labour Party candidates at the polls.
She stated that across local government areas many women were being mobilised to contribute to the emergence of Peter Obi and other candidates.
