It should be recalled tat President Goodluck Jonathan in his electoral campaign stressed that he and his administration had empowered Nigerian females. First Lady Patience Jonathan on numerous occasions said that the PDP was the only party representing women’s interests.
Nigerian group urged Muhammadu Buhari, the general-elect, to provide 50% representation to Nigerian women under his administration.
Members of 100 Women Lobby Group and Change International Network made their plans known on April 16, Thursday, in Abuja, Leadership reports.
Coordinator Felicia Onibon noted that “the meeting today is to tell the president-elect that he must put women in his cabinet. We are looking at 50%; if we are able to get that, fine, but if not, it should be 35%”.
“We have eight senators and 17 House of Representatives members, which is very low but at the same time encouraging, considering that we had over 20 in the last dispensation.”
She also expressed joy over women’s participation in the just concluded general polls.
“Women participation in the election was fantastic; a lot of women came out to vote and what we have seen so far outweighs our expectations. We weren’t expecting anything near it considering what happened at the primaries where we felt women wouldn’t show up and we wouldn’t have the turnout we had.”
Buhari, on his part, had said before the presidential elections that he would not have an office for the First Lady if elected. He explained that in the Nigerian constitution there is no official role for presidents’ wives.
Soon his wife Aisha Buhari commented on his words by saying:
“If the office of the first lady is constitutionally recognised, he will not tamper with it, but if it is not that’s okay.
“For me, I will perform my duties and role as the wife of the President of Nigeria traditionally. Wives of presidents have some traditional roles, like receiving guests, visiting orphanages, helping the less privileged people.”
The attitude of the new administration on the issue is to be become fully clear already after May 29, when Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in.
