A NIGERIAN woman who has declared for Fine Gael says immigrants entering politics will flatten ‘race card’ opportunists, even within her own party.
Benedicta Attoh, who was officially unveiled last Friday as a Fine Gael candidate for Louth County Council’s elections, said immigrants “must get into political parties to engender change”.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny TD was present at the unveiling, and Attoh said he emphasised the need to get face-to-face with the electorate. “He also did admonish me to make sure that people get out to vote.”
Attoh, a former Louth Person of the Year, said she believes Fine Gael is “a changing party”, previously more associated with representing farmers’ interests, but one that has evolved to attract wider support.
It is “open and receptive” to immigrant members, she insisted, and “is a party that believes in equality of opportunity, in enterprise and social justice.”
When asked about Fine Gael TDs Leo Varadkar and Denis Naughten, who have both been accused of whipping up anti-immigrant sentiments, Attoh said that “a number of politicians have made uncomplimentary remarks, across all political parties.”
However, she added that people like herself going into politics would encourage “meaningful dialogue” on immigration issues, both within and outside the party.
The Nigerian woman, who is a consultant on diversity-related issues, unsuccessfully ran for Louth County and Dundalk Town elections in 2004 – but believes her non-party status did her no favours.
This time around, she will be contesting the six-seat Dundalk South ward of Louth County Council and is running mate for incumbent Fine Gael councillor Jim D’Arcy. The pair are strategising specifically for two seats, according to the Nigerian woman.
She said key issues include encouraging support for retailers – with many locals currently crossing the border for better deals – as well as more affordable childcare, improvements to the town centre and integration of immigrants, among other issues.
Attoh is not the only Nigerian contesting elections in Dundalk. George Enyaozu of the Green Party will run in the western ward of Dundalk Town Council.
