Source: Daily Independent
A near balanced inclusion in governance awaits Nigerian women as soon as President Jonathan is sworn into office for a second term as the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has assured of a review of the current 35 per cent affirmative action to 45 per cent in the next administration.
Addressing the PDP Women Presidential Campaign rally at the Uyo Township Stadium on Friday, the first lady acknowledged the crucial roles and contributions of Nigerian women to the success of the present administration and pledged to create more space for them to display their prowess.
She called on women in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria to vote for President Jonathan and all PDP candidates in the coming elections, assuring of more empowerment in addition to the 45 per cent inclusion in the Jonathan's administration.
The first lady used the occasion to thank the state Governor, Godswill Akpabio, for making PDP proud by transforming the state through massive development, and for carrying women along in his administration. She also commended Akpabio's wife, Unoma, for supporting her husband.
Addressing the occasion, Akpabio assured Jonathan of not less than 1.5million votes in the upcoming election, even as he is said to have no need campaigning in Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio, who said the entire state and nation love Jonathan, declared that all PDP states have already been delivered to Jonathan, with trust that only a PDP-led government can move the country forward, with zero tolerance for corruption.
Saying that women are blessings for many Nigerian families, Akpabio who also called on all the women to vote for Jonathan and all PDP candidates in the upcoming elections, thanked Dame Patience Jonathan for sensitising women in Nigeria.
The wife of the vice President, Hajiyia Amina Sambo, called on the women of the state to support Jonathan and PDP in the forthcoming elections, assuring that women would be carried along in the administration.
She disclosed that Jonathan has done a lot for the country through the completion of the East-West Road, building of skill acquisition centres, building of a new intensive and maternity ward at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and the completion of Port Harcourt-Aba road, among others.
Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark, thanked Akpabio for making women proud, for supporting Jonathan and PDP and called on all women to give their total support to PDP in the elections.
The host and wife of the governor, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, said the women of the state are supporting PDP all the way, stressing that Akwa Ibom was a PDP state with a performing governor that carries women along in his administration.