Olu Samuel, Lokoja
Women’s Effect Initiative International, has called on all the Political Parties contesting the forthcoming Kogi State Governorship Election to call their men to order, give them instructions not to kill women.
Arewa Abiola Abimbola, the Director-General of Women’s Effect Initiative International who stated while addressing the Press in Lokoja on Thursday, expressed worries about the woman killed in Kotonkarfe at the weekend.
She said that the state has lost another vibrant woman, a sister and mother in the middle of her prime.
The Director General urged participating parties in the forthcoming Kogi Governorship election to embrace peace, pointing out that the State cannot continue to lose the lives of women in the name of election.
” It is so disheartening that we are losing such vibrant women in our society in the name of political interest”.
” We use this medium to express dismay at the killing of a woman at Kotonkarfe at the weekend. We want a halt to this killing in our society again “.
” As women, if we cannot be protected, then there is no point following the men participating in politics if our lives and security cannot be guaranteed”.
” In 2019 we lost Salome Abu, the woman was killed, till date nothing has happened, meaning that she died for free”.
The Director General urged citizens of the State to see themselves as brothers and sisters, pointing out that “if we kill ourselves because of somebody’s interest, they may get there and not recognize you”, insisting that it is not worth dieing for.
Arewa Abiola Abimbola urged the people of Kogi State to see themselves as one family, desist from political violence and called on Government at all levels as well as security agencies to help in the protection of women and children before, during and after the Governorship election from political and any form of violence.
The Director General assured women that with efforts at sensitization, reaching out to critical political stakeholders and security agencies by her organization, she is optimistic of a peaceful election.
She urged women to collect their PVCs to enable them participate in the forthcoming Kogi Governorship election