By Praise Chinecherem
Stop-Violence Against Women in Politics Partners, an advocacy group has condemned in strong terms recent assassination of woman leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mrs. Victoria Chintex at her residence.
The group are made up of six bodies namely: ActiveAllies #Today and Everyday #Notthecost, Legal Awareness for Nigeria Women (LANW), Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Balm of Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF) and Justice, Development and Peace Makers Centre, Osogbo.
Others are Development and Peace Centre, Ondo, Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC), Girl child empowerment and Reproductive Health initiative (GREP).
In a statement by its various leaders Hannatu Ahuwan, Eunice Agbogun, Tumininu Adedeji, Rev. Fr. Peter Akinkunmi Justice, Eucharia Ijeoma Anekwe and Rosemary Oweifawari, the group called on the Police and other security agencies to arrest, prosecute, and punish the perpetrators of the crime.
It however regretted that Chintex’s murder could affect the turnout of female voters in the 2023 elections and further reduce women’s political participation.
The group further recommended stricter sanctions with more severe implications as deterrent to discourage indulgence of political violence, just as it called for implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and secure elections.
The statement reads, “With 86 days left until the 2022 general elections, Nigerian women face threats of violence and threats by political actors to deter their full participation.
“On Monday night, November 28, assassins shot and killed Mrs. Victoria Chintex at her residence, leaving her husband seriously injured.
“Mrs. Victoria was a woman leader and mobilization focal for the Labour Party (LP) in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who played active roles mobilizing citizens for the elections.
“This incident reminds us of a similar occurrence during the 2019 governorship election in Kogi state, where Mrs. Salome Abuh, a women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was burned alive in her home as a result of her active participation in the electoral process.
“Violence is #Notthecost women should pay for their participation in politics. Mrs.
Chintex’s murder could affect the turnout of female voters in the 2023 elections and further reduce women’s political participation.
“The underlisted women’s organizations condemn the killing of Mrs. Chintex and call on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to arrest, prosecute, and punish the perpetrators of the crime.
“All women who are registered voters should, therefore, not relent in their efforts to mobilize, vote, and participate in political activities.
“Any woman who is going through any form of political threat or abuse should report it to the police and other support services in their respective states.
Kaduna – 0800 – 2200 – 000
Anambra – 0800 – 400 – 4444
Ekiti – 0800-300-3333
Osun – 0800 – 2000 – 200
Ondo – 0800 – 000 – 7777
“We therefore, call on the security agencies to secure politically active women mobilizers, women leaders, candidates, and female voters ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“Political party leaders should openly condemn the killing and caution their members to desist from violence and embrace peaceful participation during the elections.
“The criminal justice system in the state should be strengthened through the full implementation of the Kaduna State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of violence.
“The present provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act have condemned violence in elections and state penalties for infractions at 12 months jail term or a maximum term of N500,000, we recommend stricter sanctions with more severe implications as a deterrent to discourage the indulgence of political violence.
“All registered women should visit the nearest INEC office and collect the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) from December 12, 2022, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”
