Group Condemns Impeachment Of Bayelsa’s Only Female Council Chair Allen

The Women for 35% Initiative of AJU Morgan Elumelu Foundation has condemned the impeachment of the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Alice Tangi Allen, describing her removal as a setback for women’s participation in political leadership.

Allen, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sworn in on May 29, 2024, was the only female among the eight elected local government chairmen in Bayelsa State.

The group, in a statement signed by its Founder and Convener, Women for 35% Initiative, Ambassador AJU Elumelu, alleged that Allen had faced intimidation and political pressure over her refusal to defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It said it had refrained from commenting publicly on the matter while monitoring developments and hoping that dialogue would resolve the dispute.

“Unfortunately, the situation has now culminated in her impeachment,” the group said.

The initiative also expressed concern over reports that another official, Diepreye Rosline Yankee, who was elected as councillor and Leader of the House, had been sworn in as Acting Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area.

It argued that the development raised questions about the security of elected mandates and the participation of women in politics.

According to the group, Allen’s case should not be viewed merely through the lens of partisan politics, but as an issue concerning the rights of women who secure elective positions.

“Women for 35% cannot remain silent. Our campaign is not about supporting one political party against another. It is about protecting women’s participation in democracy,” it said.

The organisation maintained that women who win elections should be allowed to serve their mandates without intimidation, coercion or political victimisation.

It condemned what it described as any act of intimidation, harassment, coercion or political victimisation against Allen or other women holding public office.

The group also called on relevant authorities, democratic institutions, civil society organisations, women’s groups and advocates of democracy to scrutinise the developments in Sagbama and ensure that the rights and dignity of elected officials were protected.

It urged all parties involved to explore constitutional and legal avenues to resolve the matter peacefully and transparently.

The organisation said the campaign for 35 per cent affirmative action in political representation should go beyond getting women into elective offices to creating an environment where they could remain in office and complete their mandates without discrimination.

It questioned the implications of Allen’s removal for women seeking political leadership, particularly at a time when stakeholders continue to campaign for greater representation of women in governance.

“What happens when a woman actually wins? What happens when she refuses to be politically intimidated?” the group asked.

It further questioned whether women who exercised their political freedom and remained with the parties under which they were elected should face intimidation, humiliation or removal from office.

The group said Allen deserved to have her case treated fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law, while reaffirming its support for women seeking political leadership.

“Women must not only be given a seat at the table. They must be allowed to remain at the table,” the statement said.