Kogi women group under the aegis of Women Supporting Women on Tuesday, purchased SDP governorship forms for Barr. Natasha Akpoti to contest for the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Hajia Ummihani Otokiti, said, Natasha Akpoti is competent and has the capacity to represent the good people of Kogi State, adding that the women were spurred by her competent and capacity to represent the people of Kogi State hence, the need for the group to back Natasha Akpoti for Kogi for the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.
Otokiti who is a chieftain of PDP in Kogi State, however, hailed Natasha for her determination to reclaim her senatorial mandate, said the women are solidly behind her to make sure Kogi breaks the jinx by producing the first female governor in Nigeria.
She further stated that though women have contributed the growth and development of Nigeria yet they are being relegated to the back seat, maintaining that their decision to purchase the governorship forms for Natasha is beyond Party affiliation.
Giving the forms, the SDP National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Emeka Atuma, said, he has not seen women contributing money to buy governorship forms for another woman, describing Akpoti as fearless, strong and enigma of hope which he might have led to the decision of the women.
Atuma pointed out that, SDP is women friendly and encourages women participation in politics which made the party to wave ten million naira for nomination form, explaining that the women will only pay for expression of interest form.
Similarly, the SDP woman leader, Kogi State, Hajia Amina Musa boasted that Natasha Akpoti is undoubtedly unbeatable if she accept to run for Kogi governorship election as population of both women and men and are solidly behind her candidature.
While responding, Natasha Akpoti appreciated the women for believing in her vision, however, noted that she will consult stakeholders within and outside the State and get back to them.
“I am surprised by the nomination forms by the Women Support Women Organization, I appreciate them and also understand the overwhelming task that lays ahead, that is why I told them to give me time so I can make some consultation with the stakeholders withing and outside the state and get back to them in few weeks considering the time for the submission of forms”, she said.
When asked how she intend to change the narrative in a patriarchy society like Nigeria, Natasha maintained that it has always been her dream to break into the patriarchy society like Nigeria, adding that it is not out of place if the women sought her consent to run for Kogi governorship election to change the narrative and promote equity.
Speaking about the tough political terrain and the alleged electoral fraud in the general elections, Akpoti said she believed there will be a change because the governorship election will only take place in Kogi and Bayelsa which she said will make the security agencies and other relevant authorities to be more focused.
