By Raphael Ekpang
Hon Clement Jimbo, member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency at the 10th National Assembly, has called on Nigerian women to take advantage of the ongoing move by the House of representatives to alter the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended to provide for Seat Reservation for Women in the house of representatives and state houses of assembly.
The federal lawmaker noted that women should equally take advantage of this agitation, advocacy, and make themselves visibly available for elective positions, henceforth.
He made the call on Monday in Abuja during international legislative dialogue on women and constitution amendment in Nigeria organized by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), in conjunction with the European union and the house committee on cpnstitution amendment.
He said, “What is happening today (Monday) history is about to be made. . History that eventually, when it unfolds, will become so monumental that what has never been witnessed in the landscale called Nigeria would have been witnessed by not just talking, but walking the talk to see to it that what many houses of representatives in the past weren’t able to do, the 10th house of representatives under the leadership of speaker Rt.Hon Tajudeen Abbas PhD and Rt.Hon Benjamin Kalu, the house committe chairman on constitution review would have been seen to have done it. And what is that thing? Effective women inclusion, not just as a policy statement, but enshrined in our constitutional groundnorms to become a law that political parties will be forced to abide by it.”
Speaking with newsmen at the event, Hon Jimbo stated that politics is not an easy task but whoever is coming into it must be convinced of what he or she is embarking on that way there could be a clear vision of what is set to be achieved thereafter.
He debunked insinuations that funds have been the major challenge women in politics are facing, saying that funding issue is applicable to both men and women.
“I don’t think funding is the major challenge women are facing in politics, they must make themselves available and visible. The first thing is conviction. What is driving you to come out to represent your people? It’s a representative position. It is your vision for your people, your passion and courage that will make you stand the test of time.
How much money did I have as compared to the person I contested election against who was an incumbent and I won. So everything is not all about money. What is your persuasive advocacy? Why are you able to gather people and talk and communicate your vision to? Because election is not a tea party. You must be prepared. It’s like a war, and you must be prepared to go all out, and that is not to send any fear to anybody. But one thing is certain, that even in the business world, fyou must start by registering a company, apply for contract as well as other processes before the job os giving. It is not an easy process, mot to talk of an election where you are representing individuals, where your policies and your programs translate into impactation of lives. So women should take advantage of this, and you can be sure that clement Jimbo speaking right now will be one of those that will vote in support of this very bill,”
