Transparency and Integrity

8/21/2022

GBV: Women Groups Berate Umahi Over Threat To Life, Expulsion, Of Female Rival

 





More Trouble For Umahi As Action Aid Nigeria, WIPF, 276 Other Women Organizations Condemn 'Unjust Expulsion, Defamation, Threat To Life, Intimidation' Of Female Senatorial Candidate.

...... Demand Reversal Of Suspension On Agomeze And Chairman Ogboji. 


Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Women Groups under the aegis of Feminist Womanifesto have risen to protest against the unjust Expulsion Defamation , Threat to Life, Intimidation, and Harassment of Mrs. Ann Nwabyibuife Agomeze, the Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone. 


A statement obtained by MEDIAORCHID on Sunday August 21 2022 revealed that Feminist Womanifesto condemned in strong terms the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) Ebonyi State chapter, for ordering the immediate arrest of the Ebonyi South senatorial candidate, Mrs. Ann-Agomeze over alleged anti-party and perjury against the party in the state, due to unsubstantiated accusations by her senatorial rival, Governor David Umahi and his supporters. 


Womanifesto further stressed that Unahi's action is indicative of the widespread gender inequalities that persist and the current imbalance in political power.


Read Statement In Full: 


We, the undersigned, of the Feminist Womanifesto Group, condemn in strong terms the unjust expulsion, intimidation, oppression, threat to life, and victimization of Mrs. Ann Agomeze, who has decided to serve her constituency as the senatorial candidate of the APC, for Ebonyi South Zone. 


Every citizen of Nigeria has the right to elect and be elected into any of the elective positions, it is not the exclusive preserve of a selected few or a particular gender.  Women and girls in Nigeria continue to face an unprecedented set of challenges in political participation. Despite the push by women groups, coalitions, and civil society organizations in Nigeria to remove systematic barriers that hold women back from equal participation in political leadership, the historic event that led to the expulsion of APC’s Senatorial candidate, Mrs. Ann-Agomeze evidences the rising pushback against the hard-won gains for women’s political rights.


The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi State chapter, on Monday, August 15th ordered the immediate arrest of the Ebonyi South senatorial candidate, Mrs. Ann-Agomeze over alleged anti-party and perjury against the party in the state, due to the unsubstantiated accusations by her senatorial rival, Governor David Umahi and his party supporters which indicates the widespread gender inequalities that persist and the current imbalance in political power.

The expulsion of Mrs. Ann-Agomeze by the APC leadership without a fair hearing is unconstitutional, it reinforces patriarchy and it portrays the deliberate exclusion of women from political participation, even when the case between both parties, Governor David Umahi, and Mrs. Ann-Agomeze is at the Appeal Court. This highlights a high level of impunity by the Ebonyi South APC party Leadership, and a lack of will by APC to respect the National Gender Policy 35% affirmative action, the INEC Gender Policy, and the APC party manifesto on Affirmative action.


The purported suspension/ expulsion has disparagingly defamed Mrs. Agomeze, with the intent to blackmail her into backing out from the senatorial race which is unacceptable, unethical, and unjust. There have been incessant threats to her life which is a criminal act.

The Nigerian Constitution emphasizes inclusiveness and autonomy as a way of ensuring that the benefits of national citizenship are shared equally across Nigeria’s complex spectrum of diversity. The governor has been a chairman of PDP, he has been a deputy governor, and now a governor. He aspired to be the president of this country Nigeria. While Mrs. Agomeze aspired to be the Senator of Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone.


These are two different aspirations and by the provisions of our 2022 electoral law, one cannot sign two nomination forms in the same electoral year. However, when the governor failed in his bid for the President, he resorted to blackmail, intimidation, and victimization despite the federal High court judgment sitting in Abakaliki, recognizing Mrs. Ann Agomeze as the senatorial candidate of All Progressive Congress Ebonyi South.


We, therefore, call on the political leadership of the APC Party in Ebonyi State including the National Chairman and other executive members at all levels of the APC, and all other relevant actors to take immediate measures - beyond reinstating her from the suspension/expulsion, to publicly apologize the media publications, ensure that her candidacy is secured and end all forms of threat to her life, intimidation, defamation and violence against Mrs. Ann-Agomeze.


Womanifesto, therefore demands a reverse of the suspension on Agomeze and the Chairman Mr. John Ogboji of Umudomi Ward, in Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, from the party. As of today, in Nigeria, women marginally participate in politics; women have almost remained invisible in the party system. While the APC party claims to encourage women participation in elective positions through free nomination, yet they are discriminated against in practice. This action is a setback and condemnable. 


Signed on behalf of Women Groups



Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

Co-Convener, Womenifesto




 100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG)

50MAWSP

9jafeminista

Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls

Above Whispers Foundation

Action Aid Nigeria

ACTS Generation GBV

Ade Grange Child Foundation

ADEM Community Human Development Foundation

Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)

Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI)

Advocate for Health and Development Initiative

Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA)

African Women’s Initiative (AWI)

Ajegunle Community Project

Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation

Alliances for AFAica (AfA)

Amaclaire Connect and Development initiative

Amazing Grace Inspirations

Aminchi Women Cooperative Society

Amnesty International Nigeria

ANWIB

ARDA Development Communication Inc.

Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation.

ASSOCIATION OF ALIWE DAUGHTERS INTERNATIONAL (AADI)

Association of Nigeria Women's Business Network (ANWBN)

Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN)

Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA)

ASWHAN

ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)

Attah sisters helping hand foundation (Ashh foundation)

AWEP

AWFAN

Baobab for Women’s Human Rights

BLECCA Foundation

Bring Back Our Girls

Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)

Cece Yara Foundation

Cedar Seed Foundation

CEE-HOPE Nigeria

Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA)

Center for Women’s Health and Information

Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)

Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA)

Centre for Media and Development Communications

Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)

Centre for Peace Education and Community Development

Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)

Champion Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Association (CWEMA)

Change Managers International Network

Charity Women Spring of Salvation

Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society

Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative (CCAPI)

Choung-Dung Women Association.

Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)

Christian Women in Nigerian Politics

Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)

Citizenship and Human Development Initiative 

Civil Resource Development and Documentation Center (CIRDDOC)

Community and Youth Development

Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)

Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society

Community Life Project (CLP)

Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)

Community Women Initiatives (CWI)

Country Associates Network (CAN)

Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)

Crestville Development Foundation (CDF)

CWEMA

Daria Media Foundation (DMF)

Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI)

Diaspora Womanifesto2019

DICCAN EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

Dinidari Foundation (DF)

Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili 

Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)

Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives

Edo Women's Development Initiative

Education As A Vaccine (EVA)

EiE Nigeria 

Emerge Women (EW)

Empowerment and Action Research Centre (EARC)

Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)

Equity Advocates/ The Woman Today Newspaper

FACICP Disability Plus

FAITH-ALIVE VULNERABLE FOUNDATION (FAVF)

FAME Foundation

FEBWE

FEDAN

FEDAN

Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)

Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)

Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)

FEHAP INITIATIVE

Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)

First Future Leadership

Former Women Action Organization (WAO)

Forum of Nigerian Women in Politics (FONWIP)

Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)

Foundation for Justice Development and Peace (FJDP)

FRED

Gender Action Awareness Trust

Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)

Gender and Development Action (GADA)

Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)

Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)

Gender Development Initiative

Gender Equality Center

Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre

Gender Strategy Advancement International

Gender Technical Unit (GTU)

Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives

Girl Child Africa

Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation

Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)

Girls Power Initiative (GPI)

Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)

Green Spring Development Initiative

Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation

Heal Disability Initiative

Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative

Health for the Society Justice and Peace Initiative

Health Reform Foundation Of Nigeria(HERFON)

HEIR Women Development (HWD)

Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development

Hope for New Life (HNL)

Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)

Inter Africa Committee (IAC)

Inter Gender Peace Foundation (IGPF)

International Action Network on Small Arms Women Network (IANSA)

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)Nigeria

International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)

International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH)

International Women Communication Centre (IRIAD)

Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation (ICCF)

Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing 

Jana Health Foundation (JHF)

Julie Oyegun

Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)

Kebetkache Women Development And Resources Centre

KMashi Gamji Women

Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)

Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative (KTMDI)

League of Queens International Empowerment (LQIE)

League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) 

LEDAP

Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women Initiative (LACVAW)

Lift Initiative

MBULA Women Association

Media &Teens Network

Media Concern Initiative (MediaCon) for Women and Children

MODAC

More Women in Politics

My Voice My Future NGO

Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)

National Centre for Women Development

National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)

NAWE

NAWORG

NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women

Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation

Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN

Network of Women with Disabilities

NEWA

Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)

NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society

Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)

Nigeria For Women Project

Nigeria Labour Congress, Women Committee

Nigerian Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ)

Nigerian Express

Nigerian Women Politics Forum

Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF)

NNEW

Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)

Ogun Women Alive

Okwuzi Women Forum

Olive Community Development Initiatives

Onomese Foundation

Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development (OPAISD)

Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative

Ovie Brume Foundation

Partners West Africa

Peace Heritage Foundation

Peasant Dragnet

Princess Olufemi-Kayode

Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)

Project Alert on Violence Against Women

Ray of Hope Community Foundation

ReCHDI Gombe

Relief Development Initiative Kaduna

Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative

Safe Space Initiative 

Save a Child Lend a Hand Foundation

Sesor Empowerment Foundation

She Forum Africa

She Mentors Initiative

Sheforshe Africa Initiative

Shout Global Health

Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON)

South- South Professional Women Association.

Stand to End Rape (STER)

Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation

Support For Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)

TechHerNG

The Inclusion Project (TIP)

The Priceless Jewels Foundation

THR Media

THR Media - HERFESSIONS INITIATIVE

Tonia Bruised but Not Broken Foundation

Transformation and Development Center (TDC)

Transition Monitoring Group

Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF)

UC Women Commission

UTO Foundation 

Virgin Heart Foundation

Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)

Voice of Ogun Women (VOW)

Voice of women and children initiative VOWCI Zamfara

WEPDN

West African Network for Peace

WEWENETWORK AFRIQUE

Widows Development Organisation

Widows Development Organization (WIDO)

WISCAR

Woman-Being Concern Nigeria (WBC)

Women &Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)

Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)

Women Aid Collective (WACOL)

Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative

Women AT Risk International Foundation(WARIF)

Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)

Women Democracy Network Africa – Nigeria

Women education advocacy and development Initiatives (WEADI)

Women Empowerment and Initiative Development

Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC)

Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI)

Women Environmental Programme (WEP)

Women Farmers Alliance (WFA)

Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE)

Women for Women International (W4WI)

Women Foundation Initiative (WFI)

Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)

Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center  (WAPGADEC)

Women in Africa Initiative (WIAI)

Women in Agriculture (WIA)

Women in Extractives

Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative

Women in Management Buisness and Public Service (WIMBIZ)

Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIM)

Women in Politics Forum (WIPF)

Women Information Network (WINET)

Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)

Women Initiative on Climate change

Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI)

Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)

Women Lead Agric (WLA)

Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

Women of Vision Development Initiative

Women Optimum Development Foundation-WODEF

Women Protection Organization (WOPO)

Women Right to Education Programme (WREP)

Women Wing of The Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)

Women Youth and Children Upliftment Foundation (WYCUT)

Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)

Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program

Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri

Women’s Leadership Group (WLG)

Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)

Women’s Rights and Health Project

Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)

WomenPreneurs (AWEBO)

Working Moms Africa (WMA)

Yiaga Africa

Youth Future Savers Initiative (YFSI)

Zonta International Club of Lagos 1



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