Ahead of the 2019 general elections, it is perfectly normal to see posters and bills of candidates for various political parties pasted on walls. Some audaciously pasted next to a “Paste No Bills Here” signs or “Do Not Deface with Posters” and so on.
What catches the attention is the posters of more women vying for positions and even more the faces of women as running mates for gubernatorial candidates.
Jimi Agbaje, The People’s Democratic Party candidate for governor chose a woman as his running mate.
Nasir El-Rufai governorship candidate for Kaduna state also chose a woman as a running mate.
The question is why so? Why aren’t there female governorship candidates for the major political parties, why aren’t they at the helm instead of the rear?
Will they make better deputies, is it to attract more votes or is it an indication that Nigeria is more open to female leadership?
According to statistics women make a considerable number of the electorate and perhaps having a female representation will sway them into voting in support of their own.
This outcome can be deduced and arrived at under the premise that it is a perfect world and the election would be devoid of violence and rigging.
According to Nigeria’s constitutional framework, deputies are merely ceremonial heads unless the president or the governor is impeached or dies.
But making them deputies is a little move forward considering major figure political figures in Nigeria do not believe they should be given a chance else they take control.
Only time will tell what good if there is the new development will bring.
