* Police disperse protesters
A group, Women Solidarity, has accused the federal government of marginalisation against the woman folk.
It asked the federal government and the National Assembly NASS to stop the ‘witch-hunt’ against the women, especially the Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah.
It was at a protest march in Abuja yesterday.
The march was at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja.
But policemen halted the protest.
They came in a registered car NPF 6640 C and accused the protesters of evading authorization.
They later dispersed them.
The female protesters displayed placards with inscriptions like: “Fight against Oduah is a fight against women”; “We want autonomy for the Aviation sector”; “Leave Stella Oduah alone”; “External interference affecting the aviation sector”; “aviation minister has transformed aviation industry”, among others.
The group’s leader, Mrs. Rita Audu, said several public office holders and politicians purchased bulletproof cars in recent administrations but were not persecuted.
She alleged that men will do anything possible to frustrate women off any public positions, adding that the said cars were meant for ‘operational purposes’ for the NCAA.
She said it was important for government to stop the discrimination against women.
Audu said: “We are here to tell the world that since three
administrations before now, we have been seeing people buying
bulletproof cars and they are never persecuted.
“This was the same thing they did to Patricia Etteh before they removed her from her post.
“Is it only Stella that bought bulletproof cars in this country? Any post that is for women, the men will do everything possible to remove us.
“How many people who bought bulletproof cars in the past have been pursued from their seat? How many of them faced EFCC? Why is it Stella?
“Past governors, ministers were never sent away from the seat. Leave women alone.
“Leave Oduah alone, I am telling government to leave her alone and all of them should leave their bulletproof cars.
“If they remove the minister, that is partiality, other men who have these cars are not removed that means they are partial.”
The National Coordinator, Grassroots Movement for Unity
and Stability, Edisemi Yiki, cautioned the National Assembly to be conscious of those he described as mischief makers asking for the removal of the minister.
He said there were aggrieved politicians who had seen Oduah as a threat, following her role during the 2011 election with the neighbour to neighbour campaign.
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