As Nigerians keenly await the ministerial list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, women have appealed to the President to deliver on his campaign action plan of having at least 35 per cent of women in his cabinet.
The APC campaign action plan for a better Nigeria gave assurances to increase women’s participation to at least 35 per cent in all government positions. No government since the Fourth Republic has achieved the appointment of 35 per cent women as ministers. Women Radio is hopeful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will achieve this feat by appointing 35 per cent females in his ministerial cabinet for the benefit, progress and development of Nigeria because having 35 per cent women as ministers is good governance and shows fairness.
At a webinar conference organised by Women Radio 91.7, Nigerian women expressed concerns over the President’s commitment to affirmative action in view of the recent appointments he made where only 25 per cent women are special assistants and a meagre 15 per cent of women were personal aides.
For instance, director of Sustainable Gender Action (SGA), Mufuliat Fijabi emphasised that other African countries have made considerable progress in women’s representation and called on the new administration to uphold the 35 per cent affirmative action.
On her part, the national president, FIDA, Amina Agbaje, echoed the need for gender equity and transparency in the President’s list urging women groups to send a delegation to the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to lobby for the consideration of the 35 per cent quota system for women on the ministerial list.
National President of Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ladi Bala, emphasised that media engagements were critical to keeping the advocacy for 35 per cent affirmative action for women ongoing to garner the attention it deserves.
Deputy chief whip House of Representatives, Hon. Adewummi Onanuga, also expressed her confidence in President Tinubu to deliver on his promises on the ministerial list while Barrister Jamila Babuba, APC Professional Women North East Coordinator, expressed assurance that the President would appoint at least 35 per cent women in his cabinet.
A PDP member and social justice advocate, Chikas Kumle, highlighted the critical role of women in an inclusive government urging President Tinubu to include at least 35 per cent of APC women on his ministerial list.
Programmes Officer WRAPA, Nigeria, Zainab Abdulrasheed, highlighted the importance of inclusive advocacy on behalf of marginalised and excluded voices in implementing the 35 per cent affirmative action to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Former deputy director NHRC, Saka Azimazi, called for grassroots advocacy and male support to achieve affirmative action for women at all levels of government. Enebi Opaluwa, Senior Research and Policy Analyst BudgIT lamented the absence of women in policy-making processes in Nigeria.
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