February 17, (THEWILL) – A cross section of Benue women have praised the Peoples Democratic Party, for conceding nine local government councils for women to contest as council chairmen in the forthcoming local government election in May, this year.
The wife of Benue state governor, Dr Mrs Eunice Ortom, who led the advocacy, commended governor Ortom and the State Working Committee of the PDP for heeding to the calls to give women greater chance in both appointive and elective positions in the state.
According to her, the PDP has proven to be more women friendly, commending the Sir John Ngbede-led SWC for creating the platform for Benue women to prove themselves.
In her remarks, former chairman of Ushobgo local government council of Benue state, Chief Mrs Keziah Agundu emphasised that a Benue woman was ever ready to offer productive service as done before in the state and beyond.
Reacting to the development, the PDP stalwart and former member of the House of representatives for Makurdi/Guma federal constituency, Mr Rebecca Apedzan described the decision of PDP to field nine women for the position of council chairmanship in the forthcoming local government election in the state as a proof that PDP is a party to follow.
It will be recalled that at the expanded caucus meeting of the PDP held in Makurdi, the listed in which women are to be featured to include Logo, Ushongo and Konshisha in Benue North East, with Makurdi, Gwer East and Buruku local government council areas in Benue North West.
Others in Benue South senatorial district are Oju, Opkokwu and Apa, while councillorship, deputy Chairmanship as well as Secretary of the councils have been allocated to them.
State chairman of the party, Sir John Ngbede, who announced the decision of the PDP assured Benue people of good things to come should they continue to vote for PDP, a party he said carry everyone along after due consultation.
Governor Ortom on his part, charged stakeholders to follow the agreed zoning formula so as not to heat the polity in the respective local government areas; appealing to others not comfortable with the arrangement to show understanding.
He expressed optimism that by March this year, the over 30 PDP governorship aspirants will meet and arrive at a consensus person and present it to leadership of the party to challenge other political parties in the 2023 general election.
Governor Ortom while pledging to remain neutral in the course of party primaries, disclosed that those intending to vie for elective positions but did not resign on or before October last year as he directed, will not only be disqualified but sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others over disloyalty to the party hiarachy in the state.
