APC Women Ask Remi Tinubu to Support More Women in Politics

Women in the All Progressives Congress have called on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to push for more women in politics. They want more women to get elected and appointed to important positions in Nigeria.

The women pointed out that even though they actively participate in politics and help mobilize for the party, they are still not well represented in decision-making roles.

They made their appeal during a medical and food relief outreach organized by the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope on Thursday at the APC secretariat in Ojodu, Lagos State.

About 1,000 residents from Ojodu and nearby areas, including vulnerable women, widows, the elderly, and less privileged families, benefited from the outreach.

The support group also took the time to pray for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, in next year’s general elections.

Hajia Asmau Ohikere, the National Women Leader of the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope, spoke at the event. She said having more women in leadership would help bring attention to issues affecting women, children, and families in policy decisions.

"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 few women 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 position to promote policies and initiatives that create more chances for women in politics.

Ohikere added, "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 emphasizing 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 also mentioned that giving more support to female politicians would help tackle the long-standing challenges women face in politics and improve gender representation in governance.

Zainab Ogundana, President of the Faleke Women Movement for Renewed Hope, praised Tinubu for including women in governance. She also called for even more women to take on elective and appointive roles.

"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."

Ogundana expressed confidence that Tinubu would win the next election. She believes that when he returns for a second term, he will increase women’s representation to 40 per cent.

Fatima Nanakeme, the Convener and BOT chairman of the movement, said the group will mobilize women across all 36 states for Tinubu’s re-election. She encouraged women to get involved in politics and vote wisely in the upcoming elections to ensure they get the representation they need.

"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 more," she said.