ILORIN- Mrs Okewale Sonaiya, the Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio, Ilorin, has canvassed for more female ministerial appointments by the incoming administration.
She noted that the responsibility for ministerial nominations lies not only with President-elect, but also with the respective state governors.
Sonaiya made the appeal on Monday in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin.
Sonaiya, who is also a human rights activist, noted that the governors were responsible for putting forward names for ministerial appointments.
She appealed to all APC state governors to nominate at least one woman amongst the three names they would send to the new administration for such political appointments.
“One female nomination per three nominees by governors, APC chairmen and leadership in non-APC states would translate to approximately 35% in accordance with the affirmative action,” she said.
According to her, there are competent and capable women politicians and female technocrats from all Nigerian states.
She said every man and woman should play a part in rebuilding the socio-economic fabric of our beloved country.
“While our men are great nation builders, they require the support and input of women, only when men and women lead together can Nigeria progress.
“Nigerian women groups are maintaining a strong alliance in advocating for an increase in female representation in governance at all levels.
“Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre is coordinating women representatives of each state to present the Nigerian Women Charter of Demand to the government of each state,” she said.
Sonaiya said that the league of women voters of Nigeria; women lobby groups and women in politics forum in each state would visit governors to lobby for women ministerial and commissioner appointments.
She added that the Nigerian Women Trust Fund was holding a strategic briefing with the 9th Assembly female legislators on the 35 per cent affirmative action to demand more appointments of women into the incoming administration.
She said despite increased lobbying and advocacy for gender balance and female inclusion in politics, the just-concluded 2023 elections saw the lowest and most demoralising percentage of elected women legislators in Nigeria.
“The 9th National Assembly rejected the passage of the five gender bills, thereby failing Nigerian women.
“Nigerian women are hopeful that the 10th National Assembly will pass the bills for Nigeria’s development.
“Political parties must revisit their manifestos and match their words with actions in terms of female recognition within the party, as marginalisation against women in elective positions arises internally.
“I hope that our governors will raise the stakes of our polity for the sake of Nigeria and that the incoming administration will both uphold the demands of women as promised,” Sonaiya said. (NAN)
