ActionAid Nigeria, has decried the exclusion of women and youths from the ministerial list submited by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly earlier in the week.
ActionAid Nigeria, a human rights and social justice Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, working to combat poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria, said they are disappointed with the number of women in the Ministerial list submitted by Mr. President.
The organization said the list is loop-sided and short of meeting the 35% Affirmative Action demanded by women..
Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi says “ActionAid Nigeria is dismayed that despite the promise by the ruling All People’s Congress, APC, party, through Mr. President that the party is committed to inclusive governance especially ensuring that women and young people will not be excluded in decision making spaces, only seven women made the list out of the 43 nominees.
“This 16.6% accorded to women is grossly unrepresentative and inadequate. It is unbelievable that rather than progressing, Nigeria is retrogressing in delivering its commitment on inclusive governance.”
She stated that women constitute about 50% of Nigeria’s population, “and we believe that Nigeria has qualified women who can contribute to the national development of the country.”
ActionAid Nigeria, therefore called on President Buhari to retract the list and make it inclusive by nominating more women, youths and persons living with disability.
Ene Obi said the president must do that now as it is not too late to do the right thing and keep to the promise made to the Nigerian citizens.
“Additionally, Mr. President should further include women, youths and Persons With Disability, PWD, in other positions such as Directors of Boards and institutions and heads of Departments and Agencies. We are reminding the President that the National Gender Policy is in force and it should be complied with, not just in letter but in practice,” she added.
