Nigeria Content Online

A Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial aspirant in Oyo state, Jumoke
Akinjide, has called for more commitment in the fight against violence
and thuggery in the nation’s politics.

Ms. Akinjide, who
spoke with journalists after attending the party’s senatorial district
meeting at Iyana-Ofa, at the weekend, said every individual and
organisations with a stake in the polity must be fully involved to
fight the menace.

Getting involved

“We cannot bring
everything to the law enforcement. We need to attack the problems at
all levels, from the family, schools, law enforcement and candidates.
Everybody needs to come out and take responsibility,” she said.

Arguing that it is
possible to stamp out violence in the nation’s politics, the candidate
said the new Electoral Act should hold candidates and parties
responsible for violence committed by their followers and supporters
during campaigns and elections.

“I believe that the
aspirants should make sure that their supporters are not rowdy and that
we should introduce civility into Nigeria’s politics,” she said. “I
believe the burden is upon the aspirants to make sure that violence
does not happen. We can borrow a leaf from football. For years,
football in the UK was legendary in its violence and the only way that
they are able to curb it or to almost eradicate thuggery and violence
in British football is to fine the clubs. If we have a set of rules
that hold the aspirants and the party responsible for their followers
because they chose the people who will follow them, that would also
help to test their minds on the problem.”

Emergence of women candidates

While reiterating
that women are ready to take their place in Nigeria’s politics, Ms.
Akinjide explained that several of the women in the race for the next
elections are more qualified than their male counterparts.

She canvassed
conscious efforts in encouraging women participation in politics,
saying they are pushed back because of cultural challenges and the
violence that characterise the political landscape.

Ms. Akinjide,
daughter of a former Attorney General of Nigeria, said greater
participation of women in politics would to control the menace of
violence in politics.

“I am a mother and
that is why we are arguing for more women in politics,” she said. “The
advent of women in politics will also go a long way to reduce the level
of violence in politics. This is something that has deterred women from
coming forward. It takes some amount of bravery and faith in God to be
able to come out in a terrain that is still very rough.

“This election year is the year the women will take full place in
politics, especially in the PDP. We have more than enough women who are
very qualified for any position in this country, the position of
president of Nigeria inclusive. What we may say is that we might not
have enough women come out to fill the quota. But if it is 10 or 20 per
cent that came out, it is better for the people who have come out to be
encouraged. If that happens, in the next election more women will come
out.”