An Igbo proverb admonishes thus “let the bitter kola taste according to its cracking sound”. If the above adage is anything to go by then judging from the seriousness with which many women from the 12 LGAs that make up Orlu Senatorial Zone, demonstrated their love and loyalty last Friday August 1, 2014, for Chief Hon. (Mrs) Eudora Igwe aka Okwesilieze Ideato Nation, then she is the next Senator from Orlu Zone, come 2015 National Assembly election.
For behind the bulky iron lady who has remained a recurring decimal in the politics of Ideato and Orlu Zone, is an out pouring of good will and adoration from those who have encountered her, a virtue that manifested tremendously at the “Orlu Women Speaks” event.
These attributes more than anything else were brought to the fore and generously displayed on the occasion of the “Orlu Women Speak”, which momentous event turned out to be the peculiar reaffirmation of the demand for 35% affirmative action in the sharing of all political positions, in favor of women especially in Orlu Senatorial Zone.
From the way the women groups, some gorgeously dressed, others in their respective colourful uniforms while another set of the motley crowd adorned branded campaign costumes, while marching past and saluting their indomitable woman of substance, one would advise Senator Hope Uzodinma, contestant Felix Chidi Idiga, Chief Thankgod Ezeani and Tony Ezenna, to simply leave the race, now that the ovation is loudest. For no amount of money, bags of rice or okporoko can change the mindset and dogged resolve of those women marching their hearts out for Okwesilieze, some without shoes, others almost on the verge of dropping their blouses if only Okwesilieze would demand to walk on it, in expressing their readiness to take over the post. The enthusiasm and emotions were just unprecedented, unparalleled and unrivaled. It was something else and that thing is that Okwesilieze is the one the cap fits.
Most importantly, the women, from all works of life turned up and spoke glowingly of the records of achievements, democracy dividends and philanthropic gestures, delivered by Lady Eudora Igwe since she debuted as Executive Chairman Ideato North LGA through her over 3 years as member representing Ideato North in the State House of Assembly.
First to speak the mind of women at the occasion was Hajia Ahmed, National Treasurer of the National Council of Women Society (NCWS) who represented her National President. In her speech, she explained that though NCWS is an umbrella body of all women organizations in Nigeria with branches in all the wards, LGAs and states, their primary objective is to sponsor and support any aspiring woman to both elective and appointive political positions. Congratulating Okwesilieze Eudora Igwe on her multifarious people oriented programmes, which she said was evident from the various testimonies informed by the mammoth crowd of both women, men and youths, she expressed the hope and confidence that by this time next year, a larger crowd will gather at same venue, this time to celebrate the thanksgiving of Mrs. Igwes election into the Senate. She assured that all women will willingly be there for her during the election hence her victory is as sure as the morning star.
Adding her voice, Mrs. Joyce Osueke, State Chairman of NCWS, charged Orlu women to go all out and support the mobilization drive for Okwesilieze’s victory at the polls. She educated the women on why they must cast their lots with Okwesilieze. This she said is because “experience has shown that irrespective of how much you support a man, he will hardly address your basic welfare problem unless you are ready to sleep with him”, saying you do not need to sleep with Okwesilieze before you can extract a favour from her.
One Ifeyinwa of NAWOJ in the South East Geo-political region in her own written address on behalf of the female journalists urged women to fight for all positions and secure 35% affirmative action, adding that from the massive mobilization of women in attendance, if they remain committed, steadfast and resolute, 35% would be the least they can secure in 2015. “Men should stop playing politics like war, while the women should stop accepting party posts as women leaders when they could go for the top job”, she argued.
High Chief Dr. (Mrs) Maria Anuzuo (Mama Uwa) of Ideato South LGA and a 2-times Council chairperson while expresseing support for Okwesilieze, explained how she led other women to lobby and persuade Okwesilieze to run for the Senate before she agreed and so pleaded with all Orlu women never to allow all their efforts to be in vain. Once elected, Okwesilieze, she said, will be in a position to liberate the women folk from playing second fiddle or “follow-follow”! hence should not bow for men any longer. National Council of Women Lawyers under the Federation of Women Attorneys (FIDA) in their goodwill message affirmed their unequivocal support for women in politics and the 35% affirmative action for women.
In her own address, the Agunwanyi of Imo State and State Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Dr. (Mrs) Ada Mere, sounded a note of warning on the need for the men to withdraw for Okwesilieze or face humiliation at the polls.
She opined that sending a man to the senate is just a waste of resources since the men prefer hotel rooms to legislative chambers while women will remain at the chambers to secure a better life for others. Ada Okeke, the state woman leader of Ohaneze spoke on the need for the men folk to grant women the long sought 35% affirmative action. The youthful APGA gubernatorial aspirant Mr. Okey Eze who was in attended the ceremony chided the women for begging for what rightly belongs to them and urged them to use their number to take 35% or even more since power is never given but taken by force.
He stressed that Queen Amina of Zaria had started the struggle for women liberation decades ago and wondered why women are still begging for what their numerous population and potentials can get for them. He also likened the present agitation to the initiative of 3 women of Olokoro in Abia State whose challenge of male domination and oppression, led to the Aba women riots. He therefore advised the women against abdicating their God given responsibility on a plate of porridge or for peanuts.
Okey Eze also recalled the commendable roles the Amazon of our time, Mrs. Eudora Igwe has played and concluded that once a woman is empowered, a nation has been empowered. He added that it pleases God that a young man like him will complement the political exploits of a Senator Eudora Igwe as Executive Governor of Imo State come 2015 and pleaded with women on who power domiciles to use it with the dedication, commitment and courage so that Imo will be greater for it.
Mrs. Sweeney Onyenze of the ICCONET described women as agents of change hence Mrs. Eudora Igwe is expected to bring about the desired positive changes once elected. Mrs. Nnabinye E.I of the Catholic Women Organization observed the revolutionary services and political ingenuity of the “Deborah of our contemporary times” and called for comprehensive support to enable her emerge Senator.
Maria Okoro of Umuada Igbo women was not left out. She pledged the concerted efforts of all women to make Okwesilieze’s victory a dream come true.
Representing the youths of Imo State, Comrade Precious Nwadike, who is the National President of Orluzurumee Youth Organization praised Okwesilieze for taking the lead in realizing the demand of the youths for generational power shift and zoning to the youths and women folk. He recalled canvassing this along other Imo youth leaders at the All Seasons Hotels summit on Imo Charter of Equity where they insisted that power must change hands to the youths and women.
Summarizing speeches at the occasion of Orlu Women Speak and public endorsement of the aspiration of Hon. Barr. Lady Eudora Igwe by women from all works of life, Hon. Chief (Dr) M.I. Okoro, the Director-General, Ochudo for Governor Campaign Organization, thanked the Imo APGA State EXCO for the formidable showing and presence at the occasion of Hon. (Mrs) Eudora Igwe’s endorsement.
Dr. Okoro then added that his principal, Chief Martin Agbaso and the Organization wholesomely support the historic Orlu women’s resolve to enthrone Okwesilieze as the next Senator of Orlu Zone, come 2015. The resolution according to Dr. Okoro is well deserved going by Okwesilieze’s steadfastness and record of political and social achievements, adding that the Ochudo Campaign Organization will do everything to support the role of the women in this direction.
Courtesy: Community Watchdog Newspaper
