Women from all over the country gathered in Akure, the Ondo state capital, to support Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State’s presidential campaign in 2023, despite zoning restrictions.
Despite the rain, the ladies marched through the streets, shouting solidarity songs and holding signs that read, among other things, “Yahaya Bello, the right man for the job,” “We’re not interested in zoning, this is one Nigeria,” and “Yahaya Bello, hero of women inclusion.”
“Anyone who has the interest of Nigeria at heart would not be pounding the rhythms of zoning, but would pray to God to give the country the right leader at this vital juncture in history,” the ladies said during the gathering, which was dubbed the “South West Mega Women Rally for Yahaya Bello.”
Princess Nike Aroloye, the leader of the South-West market movement for Yahaya Bello, who is also the National Vice President, Iyaloja of Nigeria, said that “regardless of what political oppressors might have fed the public,” it is an indisputable fact that Governor Bello had the capacity to build on President Muhammadu Buhari’s successes and tackle all challenges confronting Nigeria head-on.
The Akure rally in support of Yahaya Bello’s presidency drew members from over 700 groups from around Nigeria, according to Aroloye.
“The women come from a variety of crucial areas and professions, including frontline entrepreneurs, market leaders, engineers, and religious groups, among others,” she says.
According to Aroloye, Nigerian women have already begun to explore beyond the two parties’ primaries.
“We already see the ticket with Yahaya Bello. Once he gets it, we are marching straight to Aso Rock.
“All my market women are ready to support him. We will go everywhere for this cause.
“He has said we are important. We will give him the reward.”
Nollywood actress, Rose Odika, who led other South-West female stars to the rally said, “I have said it before, and I will repeat it here.
Yahaya Bello is the one we will support.
From all he has done for women and for his state in general, he is the one to beat.
“It has never happened before in the history of Nigeria for a leading presidential candidate to appoint a woman as the Director-General of his campaign.
“Responding, Director General of the Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, said the dreams of her mother for a better Nigeria for Nigerian women would be actualized with a Yahaya Bello presidency.
