Former Minister of State for Education and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 presented Dr. Ipalibo Banigo as he running mate ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial polls in the state.
He said his choice of a woman comes from his desire for women to play an active role in the politics and economic development of Rivers State.
He said: “The search has ended. Dr. Banigo is a rare breed and a leader with uncommon traits. She will join us to rebuild the state. Her choice was informed by the need to create a special place for women to play active role in the politics of the state.
“Since 1967 when the state was created, no woman has been given such an opportunity. Yet, the history of the state is replete with women of great achievements. The time has come to give women the chance to play pivotal roles in the state.”
“The Rivers PDP is determined to move away from the primordial era of treating women with disdain and indignity. We want to move away from the acts of our opponents, who relish giving out token to women. As a first step, the Rivers PDP decided that a woman should occupy the post.”
Banigo, who hails from Degema Local Government Area has served as Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the State Government attended a number of universities, including the University of Ibadan, where she obtained her Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree in 1976.
