The Center for Leadership Legacy International has raised the alarm over the perceived marginalisation of the Defunct Tinubu/Shettima Women’s Presidential Campaign Council, a key bloc within the All Progressive Congress (APC), despite their instrumental role in securing the party’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
The Centre has also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and his wife to take immediate and decisive action to heed the advice and integrate the group’s members into the government, not only as a matter of fairness but also to foster trust and ensure a stable future.
The organisation emphasised that the appeal was intended to prompt President Tinubu to acknowledge and appreciate the significant contributions of these women and to ensure their meaningful integration into key roles in government to foster a culture of inclusivity, recognition, and equal opportunities.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the Centre’s Lead Director, Comrade Omonu Gowon-Nelson, which highlighted significant sacrifices, including financial contributions and personal risks, to support the party’s success from the stage of the campaign to the general elections.
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According to Omonu, a recent investigation carried out by the Centre, revealed the discontentment among “members from the defunct Tinubu/Shettima Women’s Presidential Campaign Council, despite their loyalty, dedication, and commitment to the party’s cause.”
He said: “The defunct campaign team, headed by the trio of former First Lady Aisha Buhari and co-led by Senator Remi Tinubu and Mrs Nana Shettima, Vice President’s wife, in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, never anticipated the treatment they would face from the very administration they worked assiduously to elect, despite their sacrifices.
“We at the Centre for Leadership, recognise the vital role these group of women played in the party’s victory, and are compelled by our commitment to democratic principles, believing that a fair reward system should be an ingrained culture of this administration, rather than a privilege reserved for a select few who have contributed little or nothing to party’s success.”
He expressed worries that there have been muted complaints that the Defunct Tinubu/Shetimma women’s campaign groups, who actively supported the party during the elections, “have been neglected and left to fade into obscurity, only to be remembered when their support is needed again in the next election cycle.”
He lamented that “the President’s approach to recognising and rewarding contributions has been woefully inadequate and dismissive of the women’s tireless efforts and sacrifices, especially after the elections.
“In the run-up to the 2023 elections, Nigerians saw how these dedicated supporters who valiantly stood as a bulwark against the onslaught of opposition attacks, fervently defended Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s candidacy. Yet, in the aftermath of the elections, these formidable forces have been abandoned, their unwavering loyalty and tireless efforts seemingly forgotten,” he lamented.
He noted that other campaign organisations under the APC were integrated into the government structure several months ago, while the Women Campaign Council was inexplicably excluded.
He further expressed worries over the seeming apathy of the Office of the First Lady and the allegation that she has turned her back on her fellow women who helped her sail through the storming weather.
“The failure to harness the potential of these women to promote inclusivity, rewards, and equality is a glaring omission that requires urgent attention,” he said.
He, however, encouraged President Tinubu to uphold his renowned reputation for reliability and translate his words into tangible actions.
He also appealed to the First Lady and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and meaningful outreach to narrow the gap between themselves and the people.
“We appeal to the party to recognise the value and worth of these women, who formed the backbone of political support groups, mobilized communities, drove grassroots engagement, and provided critical support to candidates,” the CSO said.
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