The rejection of five gender bills by the All Progressives Congress-controlled National Assembly, according to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is a big setback for Nigeria’s democratic growth.
Governor Wike questioned the leadership of the APC and its members’ humanity in denying women attractive political responsibilities.
On Friday, the Rivers State Governor stated this at the opening of the Ahoada-Odiemerenyi-lhugbogo-Odieke Road project in Ahoada-East Local Government Area.
He claimed that women, including the President’s and Vice President’s wives, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, had approached, lobbied, and received promises of affirmative action from members of the National Assembly.
Governor Wike described the lawmakers’ decision to defeat the bill as “astonishing”, asking 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,” Wike said.
Such things, according to Governor Wike, will not be tolerated in progressive societies that continue to harness the full potential of women in the success of their country.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s lack of interest in permitting affirmative action for women in political administration in the country, he said, was to blame for the bills’ rejection.
“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,” he said.
Governor Wike stated that the situation in Rivers State is unique since women play an important role in the state’s political administration.
In Rivers State, he explained, there are 23 female vice chairmen of local governments and at least five female councillors in each local government area.
This, he claims, is the consequence of a premeditated policy pursued by the state’s Peoples Democratic Party leadership.
“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,” the governor said.
Governor Wike went on to say that he has used politics and government to improve community socioeconomic situations and make people happy.
The governor of Rivers State stated that sustaining national growth and ensuring a vibrant economy for Nigerians is not tough.
He claims that a lack of passion in leadership to improve people’s lives, as well as the APC’s proclivity to inflict misery on Nigerians, give the perception that administration is difficult.
Governor Wike stated that solving societal problems and ensuring that people are pleased as a result of enhanced social services, which include development projects, are vital to him in government.
“There is nothing difficult in Nigeria. It is just because they want to punish the people. When people talk about Nigeria is lacking this, Nigeria is lacking that, I say it is because of the leadership. There is no passion for this country. They (APC) are not committed to the development of this country,” he said.
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