APC women back Tinubu, demand more female inclusion in politics

By Daniel Obaje/Safia Abdulrahman

Female aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged Nigerian women to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and back more women seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The call was made on Friday in Abuja at an event organised by the Forum of 2027 APC Female Aspirants Network (FAFAN) to endorse Tinubu for a second term.

Princess Nikky Onyeri, National Convener of FAFAN, said the president was working tirelessly to address the country’s challenges and appealed to women to remain patient and supportive.

“The President, I can assure you, is working and you will feel more of his impact. Women should exercise a little patience and continue to give him unwavering support.

“He is working round the clock to ensure that all parts of the country feel his impact,” she said.

Onyeri added that governors should also be held accountable for delivering development to the people because they were closer to the grassroots.

She said the endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid was in recognition of the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially on women.

According to her, more than 500 women have shown interest in contesting elective positions under the APC, signalling growing female participation in politics.

“This is the first time you would have more than 500 women stepping out with courage, compassion and resilience to contest political positions.

“We are saying women who have collected forms and have the capacity should be given tickets, while affirmative action should also be considered in elective positions, appointive positions and party structures,” she said.

Onyeri also stressed the need for inclusiveness, noting that the group was encouraging the participation of youths and persons living with disabilities in politics.

Also speaking, President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs Edna Azura, urged female aspirants to intensify grassroots mobilisation and support one another to strengthen women’s participation in politics.

“As you heard from the various speakers, female aspirants were advised to go to the grassroots, campaign house-to-house and seek support from fellow women because they cannot do it alone,” she said.

Azura said women were now adopting more strategic approaches to politics through trainings, fundraising and coordinated campaigns.

She commended Tinubu for appointing women into key positions and supporting initiatives aimed at improving women’s economic wellbeing.

“We are still pleading with him to support the passage of the special seats bill at the National Assembly because that will help women move closer to the 35 per cent affirmative action,” she said.

Earlier, Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, urged women to mobilise early and support fellow female aspirants.

“We have to go to the grassroots and campaign, not with fake promises but with promises of meeting the needs of our people,” she said.

The APC National Women Leader, Mary Alile, represented by Cross River Commissioner Mrs Mary Julius, said APC women remained firmly behind the Tinubu administration.

“Women are not just voters; women are builders of homes, communities, businesses and the nation itself. We have the competence, capacity, intelligence and compassion needed in leadership,” she said.

NAN