It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all to this very important National Dialogue on Women’s Participation In PVC Collection & Election Day Processes ahead of the 2023 General Election which is just 37 days away.
@IFESNigeria
@IFESNigeria
2. Please, allow me to thank the organizers of this program, the International Foundation for Electoral Support (@IFESNigeria) for sponsoring this National Dialogue at this very crucial point in the timeline of the elections.
3. Indeed, it is a known fact that the population of Nigerian women is as large as that of the men. According to Country Meters, the current population of Nigerians stands at 218,017,934.
4. Out of this figure the number of men totaled; 108,652,797 while the female numbers totaled 105,915,930. i.e. the current percentage of men in Nigeria is 50.6% while that of women is 49.4%.
5. Similarly, in terms of electoral strength and voting population, there are almost as many women registered voters as men.
6. According to the CVR report by INEC, the total registered number of voters for the 2023 General Election stands at 93,469,008 out of which women voters constitute 44,414846 or 48%, while the men constitute 49,054162 or 52% & the youths (18-35) constitute 37,060,399 0r 40%.
7. By implication, this means that the Nigerian women are a major power block and a voting force to contend with in the forthcoming general elections.
8. However, to translate these data into actual reality and voting force, the Nigerian women need to rise above all socio-economic and political factors militating against them.
9. This indeed is a herculean task, but, with the power of your PVC and the opportunity of the coming elections, there is an avenue for women to change the narrative, speak with a united voice and grasp the mantle of leadership in their favour.
10. The journey to women power and equality starts with very intentional and committed efforts in going out to get your PVCs. The same enthusiasm and zeal that was used to register, must be tapped into to ensure commensurate number of PVC collection.
11. The Commission has deployed a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure a seamless collection process, and provisions have been made for States that prefer separate queues for men and women.
12. However, you still need to show up and play your part in the collection process. The Commission is appealing to you all to please do not wait till the last minute before you show up at the designated centres to collect your PVCs.
13. We should also utilize the window of opportunity provided by the Commission to collect our PVCs by extending the deadline by one week.
14. Beyond PVC collection, the final task is for the Nigerian women to show up on election day and exercise their franchise by voting for a candidate of their choice.
15. The Commission, through its Outreach and Partnership Committee, has been very intentional in all its gender engagements to speak up against violence against women in elections.
16. Yesterday, we had a workshop with the Gender Desk Officers of the various security agents, where they were trained on various strategies to mitigate against women voters intimidation. So, please we urge you all to come out to exercise ur franchise without fear on election day
17. It is my belief that the Nigerian women have so much to contribute to the socio-political and economic landscape of the Nigeria, that they simply have to hold their rightful position at the helms of affairs of our great country.
18. On this note I would like to encourage everybody here present to please contribute to the discourse and proffer actionable strategies to improve the PVC collection rate and devise strategies to ensure we have improved number of female voters in the coming general election.
20. Finally, once again, I commend @IFESNigeria for collaborating with INEC and working tirelessly towards promoting a vibrant electoral process in Nigeria.
I thank you all and God bless.
Prof. Kunle Ajayi
National Commissioner and Chairman OPC
I thank you all and God bless.
Prof. Kunle Ajayi
National Commissioner and Chairman OPC
Loading suggestions...