‘A woman in power has within her the prowess to create, nurture and transform’
Abiodun Olujimi was on Wednesday confirmed winner of the Ekiti south senatorial seat by the Appeal Court after a long term court battle with the All Progressive Congress candidate, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who was asked to vacate the National Assembly seat.
Generally in Nigeria, women are underrepresented in politics, decision-making and at different levels of government, but this is not so for women in other countries. Olujimi amongst other strong Nigerian women has successfully maneuvered being stereotyped as she has steadily fought without fear or intimidation to secure the senatorial seat.
In the current Nigerian 9th National Assembly, women representatives are relatively low compared to the male counterparts suffice to say that Nigeria is gender insensitive when it comes to political participation.
Olujimi was not upturned even after Adeyeye filed a 19-ground appeal seeking two reliefs due to her active participation in politics since inception. In 1997, she was the National Publicity Secretary of the extinct NCPN after which she moved to the All Peoples Congress APC and became the National Publicity Secretary in APC.
Her Journey to PDP started in 2002, which spiraled and became the beginning of her great achievements in politics.
In 2003, she was appointed the Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, from there she was elected to the Federal House of Assembly. She became the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State with Governor Ayo Fayose in 2005.
Olujimi attained other great heights in politics; from being the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in her state to a Director of Women Affairs. In 2015, she contested for a Senatorial seat and won, and became a senator representing the Ekiti South constituency in the National Assembly under the Peoples Democratic Party.
No doubt, Abiodun Olujimi is regarded as one of the most experienced female politicians in Nigeria.
The court verdict attracted a lot of reactions; one which I find rare is that of Governor Fayemi who despite belonging to the opposition party, congratulated and charged Olujimi to be actively be magnanimous in victory and prioritise the interest of Ekiti State.
Finally an improved representation of Nigerian women in Politics have shown to have benefits such as improved policy changes, economic growth, enhanced peace building and a more egalitarian society.
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