Aisha Buhari to APC: Enough of lip service… we need more women in strategic roles

Aisha Buhari, first lady, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that women occupy strategic positions in the party.

Aisha said this on Tuesday at the maiden edition of the APC national women conference which held in Abuja.

She said the future of Nigeria depends on the potentials of women, adding that the APC must move beyond “paying lip service” to women involvement in governance.

“This is the first time the national women conference of the APC is being held to establish our commitment to setting the position of women in matters of national importance, especially in increasing the visibility of women, positioning women for future political offices, and encouraging them to aspire more towards the progress of our great party,” she said.

“Since 2015, I’ve had the privilege of engaging Nigerian women across the entire country. My conviction is that Nigeria’s future is entirely dependent on actually using the potentials of our women.

“It is no mere coincidence that parties that have grown strong, prosperous and influential have prioritised women’s participation in national building.

“I therefore wish to call upon the APC to double its efforts in promoting women, which I believe will serve as one of the objectives of this conference.

“As Nigeria races towards another election, we must go beyond paying lip service to putting women in vital offices within our party and the government.

“We must put in place workable strategies to ensure that this actually happens; charity begins at home. And so the APC must start by ensuring that women occupying strategic offices within the party have the most strategic roles in government.

“When this happens, it will become a lot easier for us to empower the Nigerian women for the much needed leadership politically and economically.”

According to her, encouraging women participation in politics will have a significant impact on the country’s development.

“There is no doubt that the future indeed looks bright as APC continues to lead our country. Women who have long been ignored and denied opportunities are now finding their voices gradually. This is a good omen for Nigeria, because when women shine, society shines,” she said.

“As the governors are here today, before we round off, we will like to know how much percentage is going to be given women in order to tally with the 35 percent affirmative action. The governor of Kebbi has said a lot; we thank him for his long explanation but we need more in Kebbi state.

“We need more women in decision-making bodies from local government, state up to federal level. And the governors are here; the ball is in their hands. I think if we do not get 35 percent affirmative action that we desire or that we are entitled to, we will hold the governors responsible.”