The National Director of Communications and Programs of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Barr. Ifenla Oligbinde, has condemned the rejection of five gender bills by members of the National Assembly at the ongoing constitutional review.
In a statement issued on Wednesday 2nd March, Barr. Oligbinde accused the National Assembly members of discrimination, marginalization, patriarchy and political bias against women in Nigeria.
“Women have suffered political discrimination and been denied several opportunities for good representation for decades. This additional seats and open consideration would have been a right time to do the right thing in accommodating women. It is an irony and a big slap on our faces that these lawmakers think women are only relevant for their crumbs of rice, beans, spaghetti and garri during elections, but not capable of occupying elective and appointed positions.”
The party leader did not spare a word as she said, “without doubt, National Assembly members do not want the progress of this country and they have shown that in their joint rejection. With this rejection, National Assembly has given us more morale to mobilise women into the ADC to run for office. ADC has given 35% allocation to women and youths for elective and appointed positions. By so doing, Nigeria women will reject them at the polls and ensure we encourage more women to run for office.”
The Director lamented that asking for 111 additional seats exclusively for women is not asking for too much, because from history, it is a well known fact that women get discouraged for several reasons.
In her words, “In a time when the entire world is celebrating women, Nigerian women are battling for their own human right. The gender bills in the 5th Constitution Alteration Bills that were rejected were targeted at addressing the present gender bias across the legislative arm of government across the country, at the same time reducing the under-representation of women in political office. In the same vein, in denying us citizenship through marriage, 35% appointed positions and settling for 20% affirmative actions in party administration and leadership, and specific seats for women in the National Assembly, the NASS has only jointly taken us back in time to the centuries behind where women can not be seen or heard.
“By so doing, the NASS is encouraging political parties to be more discriminatory and arrogant over women who want to run for offices. So far, it is only the African Democratic Congress that has taken initiative prior to this additional seats proposal and accommodated women into its party affairs. The party has women at the helm of its affairs and has opened its doors to accommodate more women. Nothing stops the NASS from taking a cue from this. I therefore call on the NASS and ultimately, the Buhari led administration to respect and not undermine the importance and relevance of women’s contribution to the governance of Nigeria, including our major roles at the poll.”
The media expert further reiterated that, “one would even expect that the NASS would probably initial a new clause allowing young girls/women undergraduates to intern or volunteer in universities, or even allow political parties to create rooms for corps members (women) of the National Youth Service Corps to serve during their 1 year compulsory service. If I were a member of NASS, these are innovative and creative bills to sponsor for women recognition and empowerment, and not just decorating us.”
Barr. Oligbinde added that women cannot be removed from the scheme of progress in Nigeria and this is the right time to consider women as partners in progress, not just worthy as 1st Ladies. She remarked that, ” this demand of women including women with disabilities and women in diaspora will benefit the economic, social and even global development of Nigeria, and position us in the center of the world.”
