Just like agriculture, politics is as old as man and his existence. So what is politics? According to the Oxford dictionary, politics is defined in two but similar ways:
1. The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power.
2. Activities aimed at improving someone’s status or increasing power within an organization.
Basically, politics mean activities we engage in to enhance decision making and representation for the benefit of a person, group, area, community or a nation… interesting. Using our homes as starting point, we seldom engage in politics to guide and encourage us in decision making. By this, the question to ask would be: _*do our mothers and sisters contribute to the growth and development of the family and be part of the decision making process. Or is it just the father and the male child that are saddled with such responsiblities?*_ Ok, I understand you said NO.
What if we take this to the larger sphere of our case study -OYO STATE, should a woman elevate to that status in politics of being among the decision-makers and or representing her people and constituency? Answer to that is glaring to all as we continue to see women and young ladies heading multinational and multimillion naira companies? So why such discrimination on the gender when it comes to politics?
In my candid opinion I think relegating women/ladies from taking key positions in political environment is like taking us back to the dark days.
The Christian and Islamic religion truly places some restrictions on women in leading some congregations that has to do with men but, and I say but it never stops women from being among the decision-makers. In the Hadith of the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be with him) says: when you train a girl child, then it is as if you have trained a whole community.
How pleasant to know. So if politics is about engaging in decision making, then why deter a woman from join the decision making process? Why? Growing up as young adults, we all believe man is the head of the house (or family) and the all-in-all when it comes to making decision(s). But as a married man, you and I know who the real decision maker is.
Taking a leaf from the success of, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and her political inclination in Oyo State, SMS as she’s popularly called, came from United Kingdom to focus on politics. From her hard-work, dedication and steadfastness, she contested and won her election as the first female to represent Oyo East and West State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA). She eventually became the first female speaker of house of Assembly.
She moved on to the senate to represent Oyo central senatorial district, still as the first female in the history of Oyo State. Isn’t that laudable and worthy of emulation? Presently in the OYHA, it’s a case of one female honourable to 32 male counterparts. Do I smell hypocrisy? When the electioneering comes, every aspirant rushes to the market women, traders women, full house wives and young ladies to get their support but when they come to the fore, they are openly downgraded (to the ozza room) citing some religious and cultural limitations that favours solely favours.
The females in politics have over the years been equalled to the drummers, clappers, supporters (in short foot-soldiers) for the male politicians. But Se na like this he go dey dey (would it be made permanent as such)?
But, who is against female aspirants becoming part of the decision-makers? Are they being muscled out by the male politicians or it’s a case of woman sabotaging another woman? The latter couldn’t be true or could it?
But, for courageous woman like Hon Adekunbi Olaniyan Olorode, who with all the intimidations stood her ground to wrestle for women’s right and chance in the decision making process as an aspirant representing Oyo East and West State Constituency in OYHA, decerves to be encouraged and supported to be a victor. It is expected that every woman would stand up in support for such a determined, focused and courageous lady to further pave way for women in politics and communal development. Because who else knows what a woman wants?
We all know as a man how morally downplayed we feel when our female child(ren) comes home with failed results, citing that she failed because she’s a girl.
In the time of SMS as the speaker of OYHA it was success gallour throughout the 4years uninterrupted tenure. 85 Bills was considered with 8 and 16 Bills scaling first and second reading respectively, and 61 Bills passed into law. One of the Bill passed then- Executive and Private Member Bill to provide Legal Framework for Government Business and Activities, greatly enhanced the present administration in achieving its economic development. Shouldn’t more females be encouraged by these stats?
It would be so withering to hear that a female would then be the hindrance for political ascendance of another female. This isn’t the time for politics of hatred and jealousy, this is the time to practice what we (females) preach.
Special appreciation goes to Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde for his foresight and proactiveness in Oyo State political and socio-economic development. The governor’s stand on having 30-35% of female political office holders in the house of assembly is just the right move for political and economic sustainable development. And this is the best time for the women to make the male counterparts realise they could also achieve (if not better) what they are achieving. History will outlive us all and we must strive to leave behind a lasting legacy.
God bless Oyo State
God bless GSM
