APC women leaders push for their inclusion in governance

Scores of women leaders of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) from across the country yesterday stormed the national secretariat of the party with a call for their inclusion in the governance of the country.

The women groups who met with the Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje led national working committee (NWC) expressed readiness to serve under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration.

Led by Hajia Yahanatu Buba-Ahmed, they expressed appreciation to President Tinubu over the recent appointment of Ganduje as the national chairman of the party.

Reminiscing how Ganduje empowered women with appointments while on the saddle in Kano state, she called on him to sustain the tradition as the national chairman of the party.

The zonal women leader south south, Mrs Rachel Akpabio who spoke in the same vein stressed the need to include women in the governance of the country

“We saw the way you treated women whenever we have meetings. Our visit here serves as an appreciation of what we feel you have done for the party.

“We have not been retired, we have not gone to sleep. Whenever we are called upon, we are ready to offer our service. The party needs everybody,” She noted.

APC’s deputy national women leader, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim particularly called for the appointment of women as directors and board members of government parastatals and agencies.

APC Women leader, Dr Mary Alile- Idele said it’s unfortunate that women have not been given their due share of appointments in spite their contribution to the victory of the party at the poll.

She called on Ganduje to wade into the issue since it is in the best interest of the party.

She said: “Our women are complaining bitterly. They work so much for the party with nothing to show for their efforts. As APC women leader, if don’t talk who will talk? Something needs to be done.

“We appreciate you for all the things you have done. We would do more gbosa by the time we see mothers names on the list of board appointments. Our women commend your for your good works.”

Ganduje who thanked that women groups for their unalloyed support for the party allayed their fears that they would be excluded for the scheme of things under the President Tinubu led administration.

He assured that he would ensure their inclusion in the November 11 governorship elections in imo, Bayelsa and kogi states.

He added: “The APC will make women participate in all its activities. We have not forgotten you, you are all qualified. Among you are doctors, lawyers, administrators and politicians . Whatever level of competence we are looking for, we will get it.

“We are coming out with programme for women. Our women leader here with us is highly educated. So she can design important programme for women all over the country. There is no doubt if there is no women, there is no election because you produce the highest votes all polling units.

“The President holds women in high esteem. You can see for yourself the number of women appointed as ministers in his cabinet. Many more of such appointments are also underway.”