By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Presidential Candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr Esther Okereke, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give financial support to female candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Okereke who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja, identified high cost of election as one of the challenges facing women participating in Nigeria politics.
She also listed violence and cultural barriers as other challenges confronting women.
“I was hoping that INEC would at least give a little financial support to the female candidates that are running for different offices.
“Please INEC, we still plead for your support, your financial support to the women candidates will go along way to encourage more women in politics,’’ she said.
Okereke also urged INEC on accountability and ensuring that the votes of Nigerians count in 2027 general elections.
Expressing confidence in the capacity of commission, she said that INEC in the recent off-cycle elections had restored dignity in the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and reassuring citizens that their votes count.
“Now, please INEC, make their votes count. Let it count. We talk about accountability, it starts with INEC. INEC, everybody believe and their hope is on this PVC. Please, let it count.
“I know you would, because you believe in the rule of law. You will be accountable.
“ You have done it, you have showed the example in Osun and other states in recent times. We know that this general elections, you will do amazingly well.
“Just have it at the back of your mind that you have restored dignity to the PVC. So, make it count,’’ she said.
She, however, urged all political actors, especially political parties, candidates and their supporters to allow peace and rule of law to play in the elections in line with the peace accord that was signed.
“The peace accord that we signed said it all. No intimidation, no bullying, no insulting. Freedom of campaign, freedom of location, freedom of movement,’’ she said.
Okereke said that all candidates should be allowed to go to Benue, Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom and any part of Nigeria to campaign without any form of intimidation or violence.
“If I want to go to anywhere in Nigeria to campaign, I should be allowed. Except maybe you have declared me a winner already.
“If you are not intimidated or you are not scared of this particular candidate winning, allow that candidate to come and campaign.
“It’s one motive, one vision, one mission to rescue Nigeria, except you have a different agenda or you have a different mission.
“But if my mission and vision is to rescue Nigeria, I believe yours is as well, except maybe, you have a different ambition to come and chop. I’m not here to chop, I’m here to rescue,’’ she said.
Okereke also advised Nigerians to be peaceful and cast their votes based on competence, not on sentimental issues that has denied the country the pace of development it deserved.
“My advice for Nigerians generally is to allow the rule of law for peace and to vote candidates of our choice.
“Do not vote gender, do not vote party, do not vote tribe or religion or colour. Vote competency, vote accountability, vote Esther Okereke, vote NRM, because that is who we are,’’ she said.(NAN)(NAN)
OBE/FEO
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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
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