Women lobby for Speakership in 9th Assembly

WOMEN under the aegis of women in politics forum on Thursday sought for the emergence of Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly.

They also advocated for the return of Hon. Khadija Bukaras as a principal officer of the House of Representatives.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, the forum’s President, Mrs Ebere Ifendu who described the duo as fourth term returnee to the House of Representatives said this will allow for equal representation of women in political positions.

While urging the President, Muhammadu Buhari to implement the 35% affirmative Action policy, she said women across the ethnic, religious, social and cultural divide are saddened by the stark reality of the poor representation of women across the board, in all elective offices despite concerted efforts to achieve the 35% Affirmative Action.

She warned that with the trend of low participation and emergence of women in both elective and appointive positions, Nigeria’s democratic and economic flight may be hindered.

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Ifendu who also lamented the abysmal figures of female politicians that emerged in the just concluded general elections said only a total of 65 elected female politicians out of an unprecedented number of 2970 candidates were represented.

“Mr President Sir, it is a fact that Nigeria does not lack in quality and quantity, women who have proven themselves both as a national and global resource in all spheres of endeavour, these women should be given a chance to serve this nation,” she said.

To this end, Ifendu called on the President to redeem his pledge of implementing the 35% Affirmative action policy as promised for the actualization of his next level agenda.

“Mr President can go further by following the global trend of 50/50 as practised by South Africa, Rwanda and the rest,” she added.