15th May, 2024
By Emmanuel Mogbede
The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) States Women Leaders said it has technocrats and professionals that could add much value in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led government if given the opportunity.
Mrs Patricia Yakubu, the Chairperson of the forum said this while appealing to the party’s leadership to consider its members for more political appointments across all levels.
Yakubu spoke on Tuesday when she led a delegation of the forum on a visit to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Yakubu who is APC Adamawa chapter women leader, however, commended Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s National Chairman for being a team leader.
She also commended him for his fatherly role and all inclusive leadership style but said there was need for the party to do more for women, considering their role in the party and the country generally.
“Your Excellency, the women have not been compensated for all their pains and sacrifices, we are feeling neglected.
“The APC state women leaders will want to advocate that we should be carried along in all the party’s affairs, pertaining women in the states.
“We are closer to the party women at the grassroots, the largest voting bloc in the secular world, our demography should not be neglected,” Yakubu said.
She said the forum had in its fold, technocrats and professionals that could add much value in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led government if given the opportunity in terms of employments.
She commended Ganduje for his team work, ability to unite the party and wealth of experience in positioning the party into winning ways.
“We believe in you as the national chairman of our great party. We unequivocally pass a vote of confidence on you.
“And reiterate the fact that the 36 States Women Leaders are solidly behind you and the party’s NWC,” she said, and prayed for God’s wisdom, strength and good health for Ganduje.
She described Ganduje as a man of great experience with proven integrity, distinct character and a great leader.
Speaking earlier, Dr Mary Idele, APC National Women Leader, said the meeting was to pass a vote of confidence on Ganduje.
“The meeting is to pass a vote of confidence on Ganduje and to tell him we are solidly behind him and believe in his leadership style.
“He is an excellent chairman with concerns for youths, women and the less privileged in the party and the country generally,” she said.
Ganduje in his response, thanked the women for the confidence reposed on him.
He said there was no doubt that women contributed greatly to the election of the President Tinubu-led government, adding that the administration was doing everything possible to carry them along.
He assured the women that Tinubu was very sensitive to issues of women which explained female inclusivity in his government.
Ganduje assured that more appointments would be made by the government to open more employment opportunities for women.
“We have had your grievances and we will see how we can make more direct contacts to see how we can carry more women along.
“We will continue to use you as the party’s pillars in the states, especially as we begin electronic registration of our members across the federation,”Ganduje said.
He said the party would ensure training of its women in political mobilisation to make them stronger politically in its proposed Democratic Institute.
“We have heard your complaint and will work to change the narrative,” the APC national chairman said.(NAN)
