Dimapur, February 3 (MExN): The women wing of the Chozuba NPF unit is hurt at the attitude of some of the NPF party leaders over the issue of allotting ticket to Sano Vamuzo. A visibly peeved response to the president and general secretary of the unit, from the women wing was received from its president of the wing, Khwupotswulu Vetaho.
Elaborating their displeasure, the women wing took strong exception to the unit president Pusahu and general secretary Vetsulhu’s claims that there were only two NPF women in the entire group of women protestors on January 28. On that day, Chozuba women wing took out a protest against former Home Minister Thenucho’s signature campaign. The wing challenged the two executives to submit the “list” of the two women who according to the two executives, are the only ones owing allegiance to the party. The women wing made loud and clear that “95%” of the protestors were from the regional party while the rest “5%” were others present to offer moral support. “It should be noted here that the women were in essence, making a statement to assert their rights as electors, which is often disregarded” they reminded. The wing also mentioned the statement of the two executives that there was no signature campaign and the selections of the candidates were made on “collective decision” from the party’s frontals like the women and youth.
The wing explained the events. On January 28, 2008, around 11 am, the women wing approached Sovenyi to reason with him over the ‘signature campaign.’ Sovenyi himself admitted that he had drafted the signature campaign on the table with the word “unanimous” in it. He also stated to have told the representatives to consult the various wings in a joint meeting before obtaining the signatures favoring Thenucho “and if at all one person does not approve of such a move, he directed them to leave it at that before the command of the higher-ups” the wing disclosed.
“Mr. Sovenyi himself stated that he himself does not have any idea whether the signatures were obtained with the blessings of the public in a joint meeting. And since he also was not confident about the said campaign, he gave his word to the women protestors that he would recall the signature campaign at the earliest to deliberate on the issue in an amicable way” the wing disclosed. Over this the women questioned what the president and general secretary would gain by denying the same, if Sovenyi himself had admitted it. “In addition to this, Mr. Pusazo Luruo, a party leader also admitted on record to the women that the signature campaign was not done in a joint meeting. This record can be readily produced to anyone who wants to view his exact statement” the Chozuba NPF women challenged.
On Sano Vamuzo’s candidature
In regard to Sano Vamuzo’s candidature, the NPF women mentioned the party’s high command claiming that her asking for the NPF ticket was “too late.” “…her name was included in the assessment along with Mr. Thenucho’s name. If the party denies her application, why was her name included in the assessment? And if they included her name in the assessment because she asked for the ticket, how is she too late” the wing challenged.
Further the claims of the president and his general secretary that they have consulted “all the NPF frontal organizations” including the women wing was questioned. Rather, the wing informed, many of them have denied this fact. “As the president of the women’s wing, I was not informed let alone consulted. If we were consulted in the first place, we would not have taken to the streets in protest against the said campaign. Mr. Pusahu and Mr. Vetsulhu should therefore clarify and apologize publicly” the president of the wing stated.
The wing alleged that the reason why the unit leaders choose Thenucho was “because these very people were paid a hefty sum of cash, and there was no such official meeting at the village level” the wing clarified. The wing prays for the unit leaders that “just in case they care,” the Almighty would have ‘mercy on their souls for going against their own conscience.
Further the wing also responded to the two said executives’ questioning the necessity of the women marching to the residences of Thenucho, Sovenyi and former chief minister Neiphiu Rio. The wing made clear that Thenucho had publicly said during the last election that he only wanted to contest once, for one term. Even though he is one of the ticket seekers, the women requested Thenucho to keep his word. As for meeting Neiphiu Rio and Sovenyi, the wing declared that they are the party’s leaders and the women have democratic right to meet their elected representatives and nobody has any right to question this.
“It should be made known to the people of Nagaland that the candidate-assessment was carried out by Mr. Thenucho as soon as Sano Vamuzo had declared her intention to contest in the coming state assembly election at Yoruba village. She was never too late. Rather she was the one who declared her intention to contest in the first place, believing Mr. Thenucho would keep his word; but Mr. Thenucho’s move came in the second by going ahead with the signature campaign, bribing some of the leaders to sign the paper without consulting the public in joint meeting. Moreover, as stated by some of the signatories, most of the village unit office bearers did not even know the contents of the notification – they were simply asked to sign” the wing added. Chozuba’s NPF women have advised all in concern to change mindsets and “try” to differentiate right and wrong. “Let us have enough courage and make a difference for once. In the final analysis, let us examine our conscience and let the Almighty’s blessings be upon the truth,” it added.
