*** frowns against all forms of gender based violence, including those of political forms against women
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Nigeria (FIDA), Ondo State Chapter, has joined other stakeholders to condemn the recently reported assault on the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Adebunmi Oshadahun, just as it called on the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command and all critical stakeholders to curb all forms of gender-based violence against women, particularly those against women in politics.
FIDA in a press statement jointly signed by the State Chairman, Mrs. Catherine Ogunjebi and its Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Bolanle Olafunmiloye, observed that it is alarming that political violence on women particularly by some of their male counterparts has assumed a perilously critical dimension, constituting a horrifying kind of violence targeted at violating the fundamental human rights of a person.
It added that this situation has called for apt attention into the level of infringement on the rights of women in Arigidi-Akoko and environs if one of them who is a representative of government is assaulted while on official duty at her own home community, Arigidi Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government area of Ondo State by a man identified as Mr. Olumide Awolumate, the APC Ward Chairman of Arigidi Iye Ward 1.
According to FIDA, “we vehemently denounce these acts as vile and an ugly menace that must be eradicated from our society at large. Women have equal rights as men and they must not be intimidated or humiliated when they choose to serve in political offices.
“These acts have been criminalized by the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021 of Ondo State. Being that the state and all persons of goodwill are under a duty to give effect to these statutory provisions against all forms of violence, including desisting from aiding and/or abetting of same in any manner or to any degree”.
Whilst thanking the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command and other stakeholders for swinging into action, it called on those with useful information that may assist in the investigation to come forward, noting that it will continue to monitor and ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
It states, “FIDA Nigeria Ondo State Branch is keenly observing, and shall not hesitate to proceed against all persons or individuals who support such acts of violence either by their
utterances or actions/ inactions, or who may try to suppress the reportage of these sort
of violence meted out to persons.
We remain steadfast on our mandate to protect, promote, and preserve the rights of vulnerable women and children, using the
instrumentality of law, strongly supporting and standing behind all survivors of violence of any kind, including those of political forms and all forms of gender-based violence, and encouraging them to speak up on these crimes as their voices are meant to be heard, and justice delivered for the crimes perpetrated against them.
“We call on the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON,
State Chairman of the APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin and all APC leaders in the State, OSAAGBV and all Civil Society Organisations to step up their game in order to eradicate all forms of GBV from Ondo State. “
