Women who campaigned for you deserve appointments, CSO tells Tinubu

The Center for Leadership Legacy International, a civil society organisation (CSO), says women who campaigned for the election of President Bola Tinubu deserve appointments.

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Omonu Gowon-Nelson, the centre’s lead director, asked Tinubu to compensate them for their dedication to his electoral success.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Nana Shettima, wife of the vice-president, led the women campaign council for Tinubu’s election.

Gowon-Nelson said the women have been abandoned and have been “left to fade into obscurity” since the president assumed office.

“The defunct campaign team, headed by the trio former First Lady Aisha Buhari and co-led by Senator Remi Tinubu and Mrs. Nana Shettima, Vice President’s wife, in the build up to the 2023 general elections, never anticipated the treatment they would face from the very administration they worked assiduously to elect, despite their sacrifices,” he said.

“We at the Centre for Leadership, recognise the vital role these group of women played in the party’s victory, and are compelled by our commitment to democratic principles, believing that a fair reward system should be an ingrained culture of this administration, rather than a privilege reserved for a select few who have contributed little or nothing to party’s success.

“The president’s approach to recognising and rewarding contributions has been woefully inadequate and dismissive of the women’s tireless efforts and sacrifices, especially after the elections.

“In the run up to the 2023 elections, Nigerians saw how these dedicated supporters who valiantly stood as a bulwark against the onslaught of opposition attacks, fervently defended Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s candidacy.

“Yet, in the aftermath of the elections, these formidable forces have been abandoned, their unwavering loyalty and tireless efforts seemingly forgotten.

Gowon-Nelson added that the APC should also recognise the women who have “paid their dues” and “demonstrated extraordinary loyalty and devotion” to the party.