TWENTY-NINE WOMEN GROUPS TACKLE GOVERNOR ABIODUN OVER COMMISSIONERS LIST

‘We, the undersigned are a group of concerned citizens representing diverse non-governmental organizations working towards the advancement of women in Ogun State and Nigeria. We believe that more women in leadership is a prerequisite for a sustainable democracy and development’.

 ‘We are therefore concerned about the absence of a sizeable number of women nominees for appointment as commissioners in the state. We believe that your Excellency through these actions has failed to keep to your promise of ensuring gender equity through at least 35% inclusion of women in your government. We were surprised that out of 17 commissioners only two of the nominees are women’.

Penpushing further reports that the women reminded the Governor about his promises that his cabinet will comprise 50% women which he made in different fora and before the Nigerian media,adding that they had earlier written open letter   to him on the 27th of July 2019 and subsequent protested to his office in Abeokuta where they were received by his Deputy Governor,Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele and made public assurances.

 ‘May we further remind your Excellency, the Governor, of the critical role women played in ensuring your victory at the polls and also that; in the last four administrations; to wit, Former Governor Gbenga Daniel and Governor Ibikunle Amosun had 37% and 45% women respectively in the cabinet. The proposed number of nominees by the Governor is less than 12% and is totally unacceptable by any standards’.

‘We call on your Excellency to emulate the Governor of Kwara State and other progressive Governors who had ensured, irrespective of all odds, to be inclusive in their nominations and appointments. It is our opinion that this current move by the governor has in every way questioned the integrity and the will to keep to promises and women see this as an affront’.

‘We believe that the Governor still has the opportunity to ensure compliance and increasing the number of women in his cabinet. We therefore through this letter call on the Governor to do the needful to avoid a call for a legitimate mass action, by women in the state’.

‘ Like the saying goes “invest in a man, you grow an individual, but invest in a woman, you build nation,”. We believe that women play vital roles in ensuring the future of a society and till we start engaging women meaningfully in the affairs of the society politically, we will continue to struggle with the current challenges that we’re faced with as a people’.

‘A simple study into economies that are thriving reveal that there are a lot of women holding vital positions in that economy and with their influence effecting positive changes. We therefore urge the leadership of the House of Assembly to show progressive leadership by failing to confirm these nominations until we have the proper composition that truly reflects a democracy’.

Penpushing also reports that, the women groups, therefore, gave the Governor, three days ultimatum to consider their demand in adding more women to his cabinet, or face their wrath through a protest in the State

‘We therefore give the Governor three days to consider our demand for more women nominees for his Cabinet or we will be left with no other option than to lead a peaceful protest to make our demands public. We remain committed to supporting the Governor but we will ensure we demand that he ‘leaves no one behind!’

The signatories of the protest letter include; Dr. Abiola Akiyode –Afolabi, (Women Advocates research and Documentation Center), Ms Kemi Okeyondo (Partners West Africa Nigeria), Mrs Doyin Ogunbiyi – (Voice of Ogun Women),Ms. Ireti Disu (Justice Development and Peace Commission)

Penpushing reports that, the letter was signed for and on behalf of the following organisations:ADEM Community and  Human Development Foundation, ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF),Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI), Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL), Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON), Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN),Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN) and Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)

The other organisations are; Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM), More Women in Politics, National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ),National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI),Ogun Women Alive, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN),Peasant Dragnet and  Ray’s of Hope Community Foundation

Penpushing further reports that, the list also include; The Priceless Jewels Foundation, Voice of Ogun Women (VOW), Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD),Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON),Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGI),Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) and Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)