The former Minister of State for Education and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday made a bold attempt at wooing women in the state when he presented Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, as his running mate ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Wike explained that he decided to choose a woman as his running mate because of his desire to create room for women to play active role in the political and economic development of the state.
The ex-minister said that the task of choosing his running mate took him some time, because of what he described as rot in the governance of the state.
Describing Banigo, who is a former Head of Service in the state, as a rare breed and a leader with uncommon traits, Wike expressed the optimism that the ex-Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the State Government would join him to rebuild the state.
Banigo, who is from Degema Local Government Area, attended various universities, including the University of Ibadan, where she obtained her Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree in 1976.
Speaking on Tuesday in Port Harcourt while presenting Benigo as his running mate, Wike said though the history of the state was awash with the input of women, none had been given the opportunity to hold an office as high as that of the state deputy governor.
He said, “The search has ended. Dr. Banigo is a rare breed and a leader with uncommon traits. She will join us to rebuild the state. Her choice was informed by the need to create a special place for women to play active role in the politics of the state.
“Since 1967 when the state was created, no woman has been given such an opportunity. Yet, the history of the state is replete with women of great achievements. The time has come to give women the chance to play pivotal roles in the state.”
“The Rivers PDP is determined to move away from the primordial era of treating women with disdain and indignity. We want to move away from the acts of our opponents, who relish giving out token to women. As a first step, the Rivers PDP decided that a woman should occupy the post.”
Banigo, in her acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to the party and Wike for picking her as his running mate. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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