The political atmosphere in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu State is charged up, following the recent appointment made by the Council Chairman, Hon. Chukwudi Celestine Nnadozie.
The women in the area are spewing fire over what they described as “war against Uzo-Uwani women” by their chairman.
Nnadozie was reelected for a second term in office in December 2021 and was sworn-in in March 2022.
His new tenure is however, leaving a sour taste in the mouth of his female supporters following the announcement of 17 appointments. The appointees were sworn in today at the council headquarters in Umulokpa.
In the 17 appointments, no single woman made the list of appointees.
This development has thrown the council into serious tension as the women are planning a massive protest against what one of their leaders described as “gross insensitivity of our mayor.”
One of the women supporters of Nnadozie that’s already mobilising her members for a showdown said “we can’t take this!”
The women leader who doesn’t want her name on print yet went further to say that “this is the height of insult on the women and our mayor has disappointed all of us.
“I’m ashamed of myself for campaigning for a man like this. How was I so blind not to see that our Chairman hates the women folk this much? We have never had it this bad in Uzo-Uwani but I can assure you that he will hear from us because we will surely make a bold statement.”
Another stakeholder from the agrarian Council area thundered “are our women only good at singing for Nnadozie during campaign and functions?
The stakeholder who said he was present at one of the meetings they held with the Governor maintained that Nnadozie doesn’t obviously listen to anyone, including the Governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
“I was in one of the meetings were someone pleaded with the Mayor to carry the women folks along in his administration. Even the Governor in his usual manner added his voice and told him not to joke with the women as they’re very important to the society.
“It’s obvious that he doesn’t listen and he can’t even learn from his boss; the Governor. Ugwuanyi prioritises the women and its reflected even in his appointments. Today is a dark day for women in Uzo-Uwani; 17 appointments and not one women met his standard?” he asked.
Commenting on this ugly development, Florence Nene Ugwu, Executive Director, Initiative For Girls And Women Enlightenment said the action of the chairman further gives life to the agitation for specific positions to be reserved for women.
“The need to mark out position strictly for women to occupy is on the rise. If Executive chairman can appoint 17 persons that will work with him and totally exclude women, then something is wrong.”
Miss Ugwu stated that this isn’t a case of availability “because I’m very sure that some of the LG Stakeholders are women and he must have approached them prior to his election,” adding that “we need to allow the power of democracy to play in full force as it will enable us to value the input of everyone especially the women.
Speaking on the gains of having women in leadership positions, the activist said: “Female leadership is inclusive, encourages participation and shares information and power with the lead. She tends to create and strengthen group identities.
“They are generally capable of considering the ‘human’ side of individuals and generate high levels of empathy.”
All efforts to get the reaction of the council chairman were unsuccessful as he didn’t respond to sms sent to his known mobile number.
