Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said that the rejection of five gender bills by the All Progressives Congress, APC, controlled National Assembly is a major setback for Nigeria’s democratic advancement.
He said it amounted to denying women desirable roles in politics.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of Ahoada -Odiemerenyi -Ihugbogo -Odieke Road project in Ahoada-East local government area on Friday.
He said the action of the legislative house came after 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 was 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 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 would not be allowed to happen in progressive societies that had continued 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 was different because women were an integral part of the process of political administration of the state.
He explained that there were 23 female vice chairmen of local governments in the Rivers State, and at least five female councillors in each local government area.
According to him, that was as a result of deliberate policy implemented by the Peoples Democratic Party leadership in the state.
Performing the inauguration of the 10.2km long road Ahoada -Odiemerenyi-Ihugbogo-Odieke Road project, former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said Rivers State had a truly difficult terrain, and it took courage and love to invest in such development endeavour to better life of rural dwellers.
He opined that it is imperative for the PDP to take over power at the national level so that Nigerians would enjoy passionate leadership committed to their welfare.
