By David Okpashi
LAFIA—The Governorship candidate of the major position Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, David Ombugadu has promised to give 30 percent opportunity to women in his administration when elected as governor of the state at the march 18th election.
Ombugadu disclosed this on Sunday in an interview shortly after a Thanksgiving mass and child dedication of the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Francis Orogu at St William’s Cathedral, Lafia, Nasarawa State Capital.
According to Ombugadu, adequate representation of women in government was a step to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs), a policy the PDP government in the state will pursue to achieve the objective of Gender Equality and overall transformation.
“PDP government will provide 30% representation for women in government if elected in the 18th March, 2023 Governorship and House of Assembly elections”.
“We in PDP will have a departure from other parties where women are relegated to the background. Our policy thrust will focus on women, Youth and other vulnerable groups in the society”, Ombugadu stated.
He assured that his administration had already developed policy document aimed at creating wealth across demographics for growth and development of the state.
“Lately, my wife has been going around donating opeeational vehicles to women groups which is the first. Yesterday, she donated three vehicles to some women groups in the state and that is to tell you how much I value women in development.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the people of Nasarawa State to come out on Saturday, 18th March, 2023 and demonstrate their support to us by voting for the PDP in the governorship and state Assembly elections.
“I want to assure you that I will be a governor to both Christians and Muslims. I won’t discrimate anyone but will provide good governance to the entire people of the state,” Ombugadu said.
The PDP Governorship hopeful appreciated the Labour Party ( LP) supporters ” Obedient supporters” whom according to him have seen good leadership qualities and decided to support him to emerge victorious at the forthcoming governorship election.
He, therefore urged the people of the state to come out en-masse and vote for him and his deputy, Hon Yahaya Ohinoyi .
Earlier, during the mass, the Cathedral Administrator, Rev Fr Alfred Azige called on leaders to unite people despite religious and ethnic differences for peaceful co-existence.
Azige who reflected on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman recorded in the Bible, said although the Jews and Samaritans were not of the same religion, Jesus was able to unite them through the words of God.
” Jesus reconciled the Jews and Samaritans when He met the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus did not see the woman as a sinner, but saw her humanity and as someone who could be changed for better.
” We need leaders that will bring all citizens together despite our ethnicity or religion,” Azige said.
He, therefore called on the people to come out on the Saturday March 18 and vote for their preferred candidates, charging them to avoid violence and religious politics for the growth of the society.
The Voice reports that, the PDP candidate alongside his deputy provided logistics to the Church during the fundraising for this year’s Cathedraticum (a Latin word from cathedra, episcopal seat or throne) which is a specified sum of money paid annually to the Bishop of the diocese to enable him carry out his pastoral duties.