Imo state women under the Umbrella body of National Council for Women societies(NCWS)have cried out over serial attacks on women.
In a release issued in Owerri yesterday by the president,Lady Ijeoma Udensi and made available to weekend NIGERIA WATCHDOG,the group narrated several cases of violence on Imo women and wondered why those in authority are silent,insisting that the latest attack on two female lawmakers;Rt.Hon Ngozi Obiefule,lawmaker for Isu and Rt.Hon Uju Onwudiwe,Lawmaker for Njaba has left them in bigger shock,on realizing that those involved are “our supposed honorable members”.
Writing under the caption,”LEGISLATIVE RASCALITY AIMED AT OPPRESSION AND SUPPRESSION OF WOMEN IN THE IMO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY”,the the group called on the governor of Imo State,senator Hope Uzodinma to declare a state of emergency on violence against women in the State and further to save the souls of Imo women from becoming easy targets to gender terrorism.
They described the assault on the two respected legislators as very barbaric and a cavemen tactics of intimidation and bullying which is totally unacceptable to civilised society where increased women participation in politics is being encouraged.
The release reads in part,” we have received with deep shock and sadness the news of physical assault and molestation meted out with impunity on our two female members of the Imo State House of Assembly; Hon Uju Onwudiwe and Hon Ngozi Obiefule of Njaba and Isu State Constituency respectively.
“We consider this a wicked attempt to silence the voice of women in the State. This unconscionable act was perpetrated by the member representing Ahiazu State Constituency, Mr Samuel Otuibe in the presence of the leadership of the State House of Assembly. This assault on the entire women of Imo State is very barbaric and a cavemen tactics of intimidation and bullying which is totally unacceptable to civilised society where increased women participation in politics is being encouraged.
The fact that women are sacred and worthy of all respect, honour and dignity is not contestable therefore we condemn in very strong language this wanton rascality by the dishonorable member representing Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency Mr Samuel Otuibe. We dare him to confirm that the good people of Ahiazu Mbaise voted and sent him to the House to exhibit this show of irresponsibility and shame”, it stated.
They further expressed concern that the Imo state speaker,Rt.Hon Chiji Collins up to the time of issuing this release had not condemned the attack on the female lawmakers,saying that his silence is suspicious and tantamount to male conspiracy.
We therefore demand a public apology from Mr Samuel Otuibe within one week of this press release to restore the dignity of women and asa deterrent, or we shall be forced to make demands for his recall by the good people of Ahiazu Mbaise for embarrassing them. This is in addition to other actions as we may deem appropriate.
The reguested the Leadership of the Imo State House of Assembly to make a public statement condemning this violation of the rights and sanctity of womanhood and further to sign the VAPP bill into law as the only way to assure women of our safety in the State.
