APC women urge Remi Tinubu to push for more women in politics

Women members of the All Progressives Congress have appealed to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to advocate greater political inclusion for women, particularly in elective and appointive positions across the country.

The women noted that despite their significant participation in political activities and party mobilisation, women remain under-represented in decision-making positions.

The APC women made the call during the medical and food relief outreach organised by the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope on Thursday at the APC secretariat, Ojodu, Lagos State.

No fewer than 1,000 residents of Ojodu and its environs, including vulnerable women, widows, elderly persons and less privileged families, benefited from the outreach.

Also, the support group used the occasion to pray for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, during next year’s general election.

Speaking at the event, the National Women Leader, Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope, Hajia Asmau Ohikere, said that increased representation of women in governance would ensure that issues affecting women, children and families receive greater attention in policymaking.

“If you put us in a leadership position, you will see that our ideas matter, and we are going to make a change. Look at the couple of women who are working with Mr President, even the governors. They are making an impact. This is what we want. Let us represent our women. Let us represent our gender. We have so many women that are well educated, well exposed, and well travelled that need to bring their knowledge to the table to better this country,” she said.

She urged the First Lady to use her influence to champion policies and initiatives that would create more opportunities for women in politics.

Ohikere said, “We are not being represented the way we should be. I am using this opportunity to further urge our First Lady, the mother of the nation. Please, while this campaign is going on, we are going to be emphasising more that, please, speak for us. Call the governors, ministers, and the leaders of each state. Call them to a roundtable and ask them why they are not allowing women to occupy certain positions. We have women everywhere who can represent us,” she said.

Ohikere added that stronger support for female politicians would help address longstanding barriers to women’s participation and advance gender inclusion in governance.

On her part, the President, Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope, Zainab Ogundana, who commended Tinubu for women’s inclusion in governance, also demanded greater participation of women in elective and appointive positions.

“He’s (Tinubu) someone who believes in the capacity of women because when he was the Governor of Lagos State, he had a woman as his deputy and several women as commissioners and in other areas of governance.

“So, now that he’s the President, he has included us, but we are not satisfied. We want more. We want to be included more. At least, he should give us 30 per cent minimum. At least, that would encourage us more.

“I believe so much that he’s going to win the next election, and when he comes back for his second term, I know, and I believe that he’s going to give us even as much as 40 per cent,” Ogundana said.

Also speaking, the Convener and BOT chairman of the movement, Fatima Nanakeme, who said the movement would mobilise women across the 36 states for Tinubu’s re-election, called for greater inclusion of women in decision-making positions.

He urged women to participate in politics actively and vote wisely during next year’s elections to ensure women get the needed representation. “We are encouraging them to come out and get their voter cards and come out massively and vote, so that the 30 per cent (women representation) the government promised us can be given to us. And we are also asking for me,” she said.