A non-governmental organisation, Group of Concerned Women, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for removing Uju-Ken Ohanenye as Minister of Women Affairs, claiming that her tenure was marked by a lack of compassion, decorum, and respect for women.

In a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Benin City, the group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Victoria Omua Amu, criticised Ohanenye for failing to meet the expectations of Nigerian women.

According to Amu, the former minister did not advocate for or uplift the women she was appointed to serve but instead exhibited a disconnection from their struggles and aspirations.

“The office of the Women Affairs Minister is pivotal, tasked with the protection and empowerment of women,” the statement read in part. “In any society, a leader in such a role is expected to display empathy, understanding, and a connection with the struggles and aspirations of women across all strata. Sadly, the tenure of Uju Kennedy as Nigeria’s Women Affairs Minister failed to live up to these fundamental expectations.

“Rather than advocate for and uplift the women she was appointed to serve, Kennedy’s time in office was marred by a distinct lack of compassion, decorum, and respect for her fellow women.”

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Amu said Ohanenye’s leadership style was abrasive and lacked the temperament required for the role, which widened the gap between the ministry and Nigerian women. “Her actions reflected a profound disconnection from the struggles and ambitions of Nigerian women, leading many to question her suitability for the role,” Amu noted.

Kennedy’s treatment of other women, particularly those in political circles, further exposed her unsuitability for the role, Amu claimed.

The group described Ohanenye’s actions as reinforcing harmful stereotypes that women in power should compete rather than support each other.

The statement also criticised Ohanenye for her failure to address key issues such as gender-based violence, economic inequality, and marginalisation.

Amu described Ohanenye’s appointment as a “misfit,” stressing that the role requires a leader who embodies compassion, solidarity, and strength.