By Chris Onuoha

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the AMAC/Bwari federal constituency of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Hon. Odetunde Iyabode Omolara has lamented over what she alleged, an attempt by unknown gunmen to assassinate her.

Hon Odetunde, a PDP women leader and the founder of the Northern Women Peace Forum who contested to represent AMAC/Bwari federal constituency under PDP during the 2023 primary election held in Abuja, said that an attempt to eliminate her was visibly obvious during the shooting and stampede that took place at the primary election ground.

Speaking to journalists from an undisclosed destination, about her ordeal with the gun throttling hoodlums, Omolara revealed that the shooting that took place at the election ground during the primaries in Abuja was targeted at her, adding that she was saved by a whisker of luck.

She said, “Although I lost the PDP ticket to the incumbent member representing AMAC/Bwari federal constituency, Micah Jiba, but yet, I am still a strong PDP member and a women leader.”

She also noted that she has not fingered anyone as a mastermind of the incident, but said that it was a handiwork of enemies of progress.

According to her, “I escaped with the aid of my security assistants as the shooting raged on. But another raid in my home in Abuja by the unknown hoodlums numbering about five, indicated that they are after me. They killed two of my security assistants, Abdulkadir Iliya and Simon Oti, and destroyed my properties worth millions. During the raid, they actually requested to know my whereabout before killing the two men, according to source,” she added.

She called on authorities to protect her children and loved ones, expressing fear that they might be the next target, while calling on the FCT Police Command to take action and fish out the gun throttling hoodlums, as an official request has been lodged at the command.

Meanwhile, Hon Odetunde, a voice in the clamour for inclusion of women in governance has been unrelenting to see that come through. She had noted that there is a sharp division in the number of women representation compared to men in Nigerian political offices, saying that volatility, induced by religion has also remained a cause for worry especially in Nigeria’s political environment.

She has also challenged the exclusion of Christians in key political positions in the country while urging for equity and fair play in political appointments.
Through her humanitarian foundation, ‘Northern Women Peace Forum,’ she has reached out to a great number of less privileged people, awarded scholarships and brought succour to the indigents in the society.