Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says the rejection of five gender bills by the All Progressives Congress, APC, controlled National Assembly is a major setback for Nigeria’s democratic advancement.
Wike, said this during the inauguration of Ahoada -Odiemerenyi -Ihugbogo -Odieke Road project in Ahoada-East Local Government Area on Friday.
He said women, including the wife of the President and Vice President,Mrs. Aisha Buhari and Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, had approached, lobbied and secured the promise from members of the National Assembly for affirmative action for them.
Governor Wike stated that it is rather baffling that the lawmakers voted to frustrate the bill requesting such legislative rights.
“Look at what happened in the National Assembly. I watched it and I laughed when I saw our wives, and women were disgraced. It has never happened anywhere. I saw wives of the president and vice president go to plenary session of the National Assembly to lobby them, to please help them.
“They (National Assembly) promised them. The party (APC) promised them. The same party that promised them failed them.”
Governor Wike said such thing will not be allowed to happen in progressive societies that have continues to harness the potential of women in the advancement of their countries.
He blamed the rejection of the bills on President Muhammadu Buhari’s lack of interest in allowing for affirmative action for women in political administration in the country.
“APC controls the National Assembly. If Mr. President was in support of this, there is no way they will disgrace women in the National Assembly. Such shameful thing.”
Governor Wike said the situation in Rivers State is different because women are an integral part of the process of political administration of the state.
“Look, in this State, as a matter of policy, we said we are going to do this and we agreed that if women cannot be chairman of councils, they cannot be refused the position of vice chairmen.
“Today, in this State, all 23 vice chairmen are women. Today, in this State, we said we must have five women as councilors in each local government. It is a matter of policy and It is leadership.”
