Tinubu urged to obey court judgement on women participation in governance

Tinubu urged to obey court judgement on women participation in governance Chairman, House Committee on Women in Parliament, Hon Oluga Taiwo, has asked Bola Tinubu, president-elect, to ensure the appointment of at least 35 percent of women in his cabinet.

She said this will boost women’s political participation.

In April 2022, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the government to comply with the 35percent affirmative action for women, which allows females occupy 35 percent of all appointments, there have been reactions from women leaders across the country.

Speaking Tuesday in Abuja at the 9th assembly women in parliament press briefing, organised by the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund (NWTF) Women Radio 91.7, Taiwo urged the Tinubu-led administration to, without delay, obey the court ruling by implementing the affirmative action.

She urged the incoming government to enact laws that successive presidents can leverage on to ensure that more women are included in the political sphere.

“In the 10th National Assembly, based on current election results, men will occupy 96.5% whilst women will occupy 3.4% of the seats. In the current Federal Executive, we have seven (7) Female Ministers out of the forty four(44) Ministers appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The number of women participation in governance in Nigeria is still extremely low, despite the avalanche of Policy and Legislative Instruments executed by Government.

“This has led the Incorporated Trustees of Women Empowerment & Legal Aid Initiative & Eight (8) other Women Bodies to drag the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation to the Federal High Court in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2020, where the Federal High Court on the 6th April 2022 to compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to live up to his responsibilities on women participation in Politics and Governance. The suit was successful and it was held that the issue of 35% women participation in appointment into Federal Government offices has become a responsibility of the Federal Government backed by Law and Policy and that the President and the Federal Government is bound to adhere to the 35% affirmative action.

“Consequently, the Women Fold Globally and indeed the International Community is observing with keen interest whether the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pass its first litmus test of adherence and observance of the Rule of law in its appointment of cabinet members. Whether it will obey the judgment of the Federal High Court on women participation in governance, by ensuring increased (35%) appointments are given to women,” she said.

Also, Executive Director of NWTF, Mufuliat Fijabi urged the government to obey the judgment by doing the needful.

“What we are requesting from the incoming administration is simple. The court order should be obeyed. Put women in strategic positions and see wonders. Women have shown from time to time that they can perform if given the opportunity,” she said.