By Ayeotan Shola
Some Nigerian women groups have expressed concern over what they see as the neglect of women in President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent appointment of principal officers.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, the President of Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), Ebere Ifendu, said that the non-inclusion of women in the appointments so far made by the present administration would hamper the country’s democracy.
“We warn that this exclusion of women, if not immediately checked, may lead to a situation where the generality of Nigerian women will regard themselves as outsiders in President Buhari’s administration,” she said.
“We want to sound a note of caution here, that this deliberate policy of ignoring the aspiration of Nigerian women for representation through this outright negligence or non-recognition in the scheme of things will not help the growth and sustenance of the country’s democratic project.
It is foolhardy for anybody to believe that governance can be successful in a democratic setting in Nigeria, without the inclusion of a critical segment of its population. The value of having women contribute their experiences, their ideas and their skills in improving the lives of millions must be recognised.”
Buhari has so far appointed 35 principal officers with the only woman among them being Amina Zakari, who is the acting Chairperson of INEC.
Read More: Daily Times
