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The wife of the
Nigerian president, Patience Jonathan, on Wednesday night, played host
to female candidates totaling 809, who made the Independent Electoral
Commission’s (INEC) list for the 2011 general elections at the banquet
hall of the presidential villa, Abuja.

In what was
described as unprecedented by her aides, Mrs. Jonathan held a dialogue
session with the female candidates who have won party primaries across
all the parties, the first by any First Lady in Nigeria.

Candidates from
PDP, CPC, APGA, ACN and other parties were present at the event. An
elated Mrs. Jonathan urged the female governorship aspirants to forge
close alliances with their deputies, either male or female, adding that
they must begin to understand that they are running as a team.

“Because I
understand the seed of cooperation, I never had problem with my
governor’s wife as a deputy governor’s wife, nor with the wife of the
president as the vice president’s wife. You have to be patient to get
to where you want in life,” Mrs. Jonathan said.

“I am pleased to
see that compared to years before now, many women have taken the bold
steps to contest. This is as a result of our campaign on the Women for
Change and Development,”she added.

She further
admitted that politics is still dominated by men, adding that “we need
to encourage our men to encourage gender balance.”

She also noted that
many bills sponsored by women in the National Assembly were thrown out
in the past because few supported it, saying her prayer was that there
should be more women lawmakers after the April polls.

“Women are the
largest voters in elections. It is, therefore, important that we use
our large numbers to our advantage in the forthcoming elections,” she
said.

Mrs. Jonathan said
it is regretable that Nigerian women currently occupy only 8.3 per cent
elective positions, though she admitted this figure is still an
improvement from previous years where women were not even considered.

“Since the campaign
started nine months ago, four states have approved 35 per cent
affirmative action, while one has approved 30 per cent and you are all
aware President Jonathan has promised 35 per cent if voted in,” she
said.

“I am aware you
will face many challenges like striking a balance between family and
politics, resistance from menfolk, and dominance of men in the
political sphere. I urge you to remain strong and focused,” she
appealed.

She then, through
her group, the Women for Change and Development Initiative, handed out
an undisclosed amount to the five female governorship aspirants, 88
women contesting for senatorial seats, 218 House of Representatives
aspirants, and 493 state Houses of Assembly.

“I will give you my
widow’s mite, no matter how small. Take it from me and my twin sister,
the wife of the vice president, Mrs. Sambo. It is not much, but it is
to encourage you. The little we have, take it with love and I wish you
success,” she said.

Standing with you

The wife of the vice president, Mrs. Sambo, congratulated the women.

“Women should not
forget where they come from when they win elections,” she said,
assuring the men that “our desire to contribute our quota is not to
compete with you, neither to take your positions and therefore, we urge
you to provide a level playing field for all.”

The national
coordinator of Women for Change and Development Initiative, Chidinma
Uwajumogu, described the women as fighters who succeeded where angels
failed to tread. She said the goal of the initiative is to empower
women politically and economically.

“(Mrs Jonathan) did say those who succeeded at the primaries would
have funds available to them to ensure they can fund their campaign
expenses. She believes her support and the fact that she is standing
behind you will move your vision forward. Today, the president has
promised us 35 per cent representation,” Ms. Uwajumogu said.