I would prefer a woman as a running mate when given the ticket -Edevbie

By Akpos Oghenetega,

Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary, a leading aspirant for the Delta 2023 governorship election, Olorogun David Edevbie, has expressed his preference for a woman running mate when given the ticket.

Edevbie disclosed this at the palace of the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III when he paid the monarch of Iwere Kingdom a consultation visit.

Speaking on his agenda for Public Service Reforms and his decision to reserve 35% of appointive positions for women, in line with the global Affirmative Action, and 25% for youths, he argued that women and youths are the largest numbers in the population and their increased inclusion in governance is necessary not only for government to be more reflective of the people it governs but also to allow for wider shades of opinions in planning government programmes and policies.

“If I am allowed, I will prefer a woman as my deputy if given the ticket. Statistically, we have more women than men but they are not sufficiently included in governance. Empirically too, it has been proven that women are more committed to service, are more hardworking and are less prone to corruption.

“That is why I have dedicated 35% of all political appointments to women. This will mean having about nine women commissioners, possibly ten or more, in a cabinet of about 25 commissioners.

“The youth is also about 75% of our population but they are scantily involved in governance. We always say they are the leaders of tomorrow but we do not involve them enough in governance to enable them to learn leadership.

“I was lucky to have been brought in early by Chief James Ibori and I served as Commissioner in the same cabinet with Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who became Governor, with Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who became Governor, with Deputy Governor Benjamin Elue, Chief Amori and many elders. I learned a lot from them and they also respected me for my intellect. That is why I am able to stand here with the experience that I have.

“But mine was luck. I don’t want it to be luck any longer. We have to make it a policy to include our youth in governance so that in the next eight years we can have many more youths ready to lead. Some may opt to go to the private sector but they would have had the experience.

“The inclusion of more women and youths will provide us wider shades of opinions in deciding government policies and programmes.”