A coalition of Plateau women and youth groups have procured the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form for Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, to contest the state Southern Senatorial seat.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Felicia Bala, who presented the form to the minister on Saturday, said the groups decided to procure the form to encourage her to contest.

Mrs Bala said her records and commitment to the development of women and children prompted the move.

Youth leader, Nanzing Nanle, while commending the minister for her support to youths in the state, assured her of continued support towards getting the senatorial seat.

Receiving the form, Mrs Tallen said that Nigerian women were faced with many challenges and stressed the need for more representation.

“Women have suffered enough and they are still suffering because we have no voice. The number of women in the national assembly is like a drop in the sea.

“We succeeded in having one voice there, but unfortunately, there have been terrible threats to her life and that has made her withdraw.

“My plan and prayers is to ensure we retain that seat and for any man who wants to displace a woman, the few we have is unacceptable.

“What you have done is a big surprise to me. I have been under pressure, I had no plans until it was clear that our sitting senator was not ready to return,” she said.

Mrs Tallen added: “I call for your prayers to salvage our senatorial zone, save our children, our state and nation at large.

“We have been praying and advocating for more women to be added to the few we have in the National Assembly.”

“It is time for a call to action, I sincerely appreciate you all and by the grace of God we will succeed and I will never fail you,” the minister said.

(NAN)