Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has blamed the crisis rocking the state house of assembly to the lack of women representation in the House, even as he reassured support for more women representation in elective positions.
Obaseki said this in Benin, the state capital, during an event marking this year’s International Women’s Day.
“My only regret till date is that I didn’t work hard enough during the last national elections that produced members of our State House of Assembly to bring women into the House.”
“You all know the situation under which we conducted that election. And we can see the crisis that we had in the House. It was possible because we did not have a woman there.
“So, we have learned our lesson, and this election, you don’t need to preach to us. I will go out there to campaign and more women will be elected into our State House of Assembly. The crisis we had may have been avoided if we have more voices of reason in that House.”
He urged the women to get ready as government will create more opportunities to support them and build structures that will allow them to achieve their goals.
He flayed the National Assembly for rejecting bills seeking affirmative action and inclusion of women in politics and other spheres of the society, saying that should spur them to mobilize Nigerians for gender equality and break the bias
“If only leaders understand and appreciate the exceptional competence and leadership abilities of women, there will be no conversation about giving women the opportunity and responsibility in government,” the governor added.
“In Edo, We have seen how women have contributed to making major differences in our lives. If we say we want to make Edo great again, then, the women must be at the forefront.”
