The Women for Justice group in Nasarawa State has expressed sorrow over the loss of six members during their ongoing protest against the Appeal Court verdict that overturned the victory of David Ombugadu.
Over the weekend, the women protesters gathered to honour the fallen heroines who sacrificed their lives in the quest for justice in the legal battle to reinstate Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the March 18th election.
Addressing the women, the chairman of the group, Mr James Alu, paid tribute to the fallen members, stating: “It is sad they could not live to see the end of this struggle, but they have paid the price as fallen heroines, and we shall continue to remember their sacrifice in the struggle for justice.”
The six fallen heroines were identified as Halima Kasimu from Daddere; Esther Bambita from Gidinye; Hellen Godiya from Lafia; Danladi Makpa from Mararaba Awayi; and Felicia Tsaku from Nasarawa Eggon.
Alu commended the women for their dedication and encouraged them to persevere in the struggle, assuring them that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Many of the women shared their testimonies of challenges faced during the protest, including insults, hunger, trekking, sickness, and other hardships.
Some women revealed that the ongoing struggle was their response to the constant attacks by Fulani herders on their farms, making it unsafe for them to visit their fields. They alleged incidents of rape against themselves and their daughters.
Some women spoke of miscarriages suffered during the protest, expressing hope for justice for David Ombugadu, whom they believe can address insecurity in the state.
In her remarks, Nasarawa State Women Leader of PDP, Mrs. Stella Oboshi, praised the women for their courage and sacrifices in the ongoing struggle.
She extended sympathy to the families of the fallen heroines and urged the women to sustain the protest with prayers for unbiased judgement from the Supreme Court.