Bayelsa FIDA, NDI unite to fight violence against women in Elections

Gov. Dickson

Timipre Sylva

. As Sylva wins APC Bayelsa governorship primary that saw other aspirants stage a walk out

The Bayelsa State chapter of International Federation Lawyers (FIDA), and National Democratic Institute (NDI), on Thursday launched a campaign to stop violence against women in elections.

Mrs Dise Ogbise-Erhisere, FIDA’s State Chairperson said during the Launch of Stop-Violence Against Women in Election (Stop-VAWIE) that women were at the receiving end of violence in politics.

She said that inclusion of women in decision making would engender more development in the country’s electoral processes.
Ogbise-Erhisere said that the launch became necessary in Bayelsa, especially now the state is preparing for the governorship election.

She said that the women lawyers have been at fore-front in ensuring that all violence against women and children were reduced before, during and after elections.

“We, the lawyers are committed to promoting and protecting the right, interest and well-being of women and children in Nigeria, especially Bayelsa.

“We are doing this because, we want a just, peaceful and equitable Nigerian society, where women and children’s right and interest are protected.

“Bayelsa FIDA is excited about launching of this project (Stop-VAWIE) with NDI and other collaborating agencies; women’s right must be protected in the society,” Ogbise-Erhisere said.

Mrs Ene Ede, Gender Advisor, Electoral Empowerment of Civil Society Project (EECSP) in Bayelsa, said the launch was necessary in ensuring that violence against women was reduced in the society.

Ede, who represented the NDI Country Director, Jasper Veen urged women to always stand to defend their rights, especially before, during and after elections.

“Here in Bayelsa, the election is around the corner, this is the time for us to do something about violence against women,” she stated.

Bayelsa Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, who was represented by Justice Doris Azokeme, commended the launching of the project in the state, stressing that verbal violence against women should also stop.

“Using abusive languages against women, like calling them prostitute is also part of the violence; we must do away with all sorts of violence in the society, including political violence,” Abiri said.

Meanwhile, Timipre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa on Tuesday emerged winner of All Progressive Congress (APC) Gubernatorial primary in Bayelsa under controversial circumstances.

According to the results announced by Mr Nelson Alakpa, a member of the Bayelsa Governorship Committee headed by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Sylva polled 726 votes while Mr Timi Alaibe scored four votes.

The primary ran into a hitch that suspended the accreditation of delegates for the election slated for Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.

It was gathered that the accreditation was suspended over disagreements amongst the aspirants who alleged that delegates loyal to them were denied access to the venue.

Policemen drafted to the venue had to use tear gas to disperse the delegates involve in the scuffle.

The development compelled Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Chairman of the seven member APC Governorship Primary fo Bayelsa to hold an emergency meeting with the 19 aspirants which lasted for two hours.

The meeting could not however resolve the contentious issues as some of the aspirants left the venue with their supporters.

Mr Timi Alaibe, one of the aspirants however called for a postponement of the primaries to enable all eligible delegates to participate in the exercise and asked his supporters to leave the venue.

Other remaining aspirants staged a walk-out from the venue leaving Sylva and his supporters who stayed back and voted as the primary election dragged into the night.

Oshiomhole had left the venue around 5 pm in company of soldiers and DSS operatives without addressing the remaining party delegates as the accreditation resumed a few minutes afterwards.

He however handed proceedings to Mr Nelso Alakpa who conducted the elections and announced the results.