Follow Us on Google
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, on Tuesday, rejected Mrs. Comfort Echoda as their candidate in the forthcoming local council election.
This they did in a protest.
The protesters alleged that due to incessant attacks on the community by Fulani herdsmen, a woman was incapable of piloting the affairs of the area creditably.
The leader of the protesters, Mr. Abel Omaluwa, said that the security situation in the area did not warrant a woman to be at the helm of affairs.
He said that the protesters were not against Echoda as a person.
Omaluwa said: since Echoda is a woman and giving the present security situation in the area, she cannot perform well.
“With recurring cases of fresh attacks between farmers and herdsmen, the situation will be too difficult for a woman to manage effectively.
“Since the announcement of Echoda as the party’s candidate, our teeming supporters are discouraged.
“Our fears are that if the woman is allowed to contest, it will have adverse effects in this and subsequent elections.”
Omaluwa appealed to stakeholders of the party to look into the matter to avert unforeseen problems.
He presented a copy of their petition, signed by 30 people to the leader of the government’s delegate, Dr. Tavershima Adyorough.
Responding, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Mr. Gwaza Ujamatu, assured the protesters that their grievances would be forwarded to the governor for prompt action. (NAN)
