by Fatai Abiodun
It is evident today that women still suffer a lot of discrimination and neglect, especially in their participation in politics and the business of governance. The studies have shown that our women, due to decades of forced submission to outdated ideologies regarding the role of women in society, may have come to regard themselves as eternal followers in the political schemes of events, only to be seen and never to be heard.
Based on the need to change the above narrative, the Professionals Women Council of the All Progressives Congress has fixed Thursday 21st July 2022 at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja as the official inauguration day of the council to promote women’s participation in politics and to mobilize support bank for the candidature of Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Kashim Shetima as the party presidential flag-bearer at the 2023 general election.
In her remark, the Council National Director, Hon. Ronke Soyombo stated that one of the forum’s pillars is advancing women’s political participation in good governance, and ensuring that decision-making processes are participatory, responsive, equitable, and inclusive of women’s participation.
She opined that the higher numbers of women in governance and decision-making generally contribute to stronger attention to women’s issues, and Women’s political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equity and genuine democracy, urged the women to lend support to other fellow women to achieve the main objective.
Hon. Ronke Soyombo praised the doggedness of the only women governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Binani – APC Adamawa State gubernatorial candidate for showcasing that women can provide leadership, and further averred that the Inaugural launching of APC Professional Women Council would also present an opportunity for women to rally around all women candidates at the forthcoming general election and focus on Women supporting Women, that the idea of women sitting on the fence is over.
In the same vein, the Director General of the APC Professionals Council, Dr. Seyi Bamgbade enjoined the women council to encourage their fellow women counterparts to get their PVC and vote for the party candidates from top to bottom in order to consolidate the gain recorded by the party in the last seven years.
She added that the forum would put all hands on deck to gather efforts through strategic and innovative ideas that would advance the status of women in decision-making.
The Chairperson for the event is Hajiya Khadija Adamu, wife of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Betta Edu, APC National Women Leader, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyegiocha, Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives.
Other important dignitaries are Hon Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, and Hon. Minister of the FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, and many others.
The expected Mother of the day is Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Representing Lagos Central.
