LG poll: Controversy trails Gov Eno’s vice chairman slot for women in Akwa Ibom
Some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom state have opposed Governor Umo Eno’s decision to exclusively reserve vice chairmanship positions to women in the forthcoming council election.
Eno had said that his administration would encourage women’s participation, saying that all local governments in the state must have a woman as vice chairman.
The pronouncement has however provoked heated controversy and discontentment among PDP stalwarts, especially those who eyed the positions as compensation for loyalty and support for the party.
A former state officer of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the governor’s decision lacked democratic content and people’s consent.
According to him, if the governor dictates to indigenes of local governments who should be their vice chairman, the party will suffer internal crises.
A PDP youth leader from Eket local government, Tony Edoho, said the policy will expose the PDP to electoral misfortune.
He said the vice chairmanship candidate, who is always the running mate to the chairman, has significant and critical roles, which can hardly be performed effectively by a woman.
He said: “The chairman’s running mate represents his boss at all meetings in the day and night. ‘You know in politics, sometimes emergencies come in the night or at modern places and times and this is not okay for women, especially married ones.
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“The governor should have allowed the people to choose who they want. If they want women, he should allow them to choose the kind of woman, who will be able to mobilize support and do the job of a chairman’s running mate. This policy will create problems in some local governments.”
However, a PDP chieftain and vice chairman of Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Akwa Ibom chapter, ESV Kufre Ufot, described the development as encouraging.
In his view, the idea will encourage the women and create a sense of belonging among them.
He advised the party to see the development as political innovation and functional inclusiveness that will boost democratic ideals in the PDP and the body polity at large.
