Basking in last week’s ruling by the High Court, Abuja affirming 35 per cent affirmative action for political offices, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), yesterday, declared that the gender was closer to inclusive governance as the country gears up for next year’s general elections.

At a press conference, yesterday, in Abuja, NWTF’s President, Mufuliat Fijabi, stressed that it was important to inform the world of efforts that had been made by Nigerian women, climaxing in the April 6, 2022 judgment.

She reiterated that the verdict meant that Nigerian women “are now accorded 35 per cent affirmative action as a matter of right in line with democratic ethos.”

ALSO yesterday, the Federal Government stated that issuing free nomination forms to women was not enough to guarantee their full representation in governance.

It described a situation where political parties gave free nomination forms and later schemed out the gender during primaries as a Greek gift.

Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, raised the concern at a press briefing on the court ruling on 35 per cent affirmative action for Nigerian women, organised by Women Radio, in partnership with Women Trust Fund, yesterday in Abuja.

The court had ordered the government to enforce the National Gender Policy following a suit filed by some women groups for improved gender inclusion in public appointments.

Tallen noted that though President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring the implementation of the cjudgment, political parties must also show consideration for women when giving out tickets.

She said: “Every politics is local. You must start from the grassroots and engage your people. Make yourself available and reassure your people that you could be true representatives.”