‘Zakari’s appointment evidence of Buhari’s gender friendliness’

The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The APC chieftain, in a statement made available to The Guardian described the gesture as a clear affirmation by the Buhari administration to run a gender-friendly government.

Aliyu who expressed happiness over the development said President Buhari would live up to the manifesto of the APC, which stresses the need to give women their pride of place in the society. She maintained that the new INEC chief would not only make women proud, she would surely live up to the expectations of Nigerians desirous of a more efficient electoral umpire.

According to her, “The weather in the morning is symptomatic of what the rest of the day will be. In this regard, I urge that efforts be sustained to ensure that more women participate actively in the decision making process in order to consolidate the gains of the principle of Affirmative Action and strengthen their place as veritable stakeholders in building the new Nigeria desired by the APC-led Federal Government.

“I am confident that women would reciprocate the salutary disposition of Mr. President by ensuring that in whatever capacity they are called upon to serve, they would discharge such a responsibility with a deep sense of commitment, diligence, dedication, integrity and love of country.

“I urge Mrs. Zakari to be a worthy women ambassador embodying honour and integrity in executing the functions of her exalted office. In keeping with the emerging trend in some African countries like Ghana and Sierra Leon, I am strengthened by the conviction that she will rise to the challenge thrust on her shoulders and as a resourceful Electoral Administrator, initiate visionary electoral reforms that would make our electoral process more credible and transparent.”