Women Groups Protest Suspension of Ebonyi State Gov Umahi's Senatorial Rival, Ann Agomeze
About 278 women's rights groups on Sunday condemned the alleged threat to the life of Ann Agomeze, a senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress in the Ebonyi South senatorial zone.
In a statement signed by Abiola Akintoye-Afolabi, the convener of Womenisfesto, the groups called for the reversion of the suspension.
“We, the undersigned, of the Feminist Womanifesto Group, condemn in strong terms, the unjust expulsion, intimidation, oppression, threat to life, and victimisation of Ann Agomeze, who has decided to serve her constituency as the senatorial candidate of the APC, for Ebonyi South Zone," the statement said. "Despite the push by women groups, coalitions, and civil society organisations in Nigeria to remove systematic barriers that hold women back from equal participation in political leadership, the historic event that led to the expulsion of the APC’s senatorial candidate, Mrs Ann-Agomeze evidences the rising pushback against the hard-won gains for women’s political rights."
They also called for the leadership of the APC to interrogate the situation.
According to PUNCH, Agomeze who is the major opponent of Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, said that her life had been under "threats and harassment" ever since the contest for the senatorial seat started.
However, the APC had announced her suspension on grounds of "anti-party" activities. Her suspension has since been criticised by women's rights organizations like Womenifesto.
Mrs Agom-Ezem lost to Mr Umahi’s brother, Austin in the first primary and joined the suit filed by Umahi seeking to be declared the candidate of the party for the senatorial zone. Mr Umahi, was declared winner unopposed in the second primary after his younger brother, Austin withdrew as candidate of the party.