Read Why Buhari Would Marginalise Women in His Govt

Read Why Buhari Would Marginalise Women in His Govt

The Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Gideon Samani today said the President did not include many women in his cabinet because he is very shy dealing with the opposite sex.

Samani, who spoke at the fifth Annual Lecture Series, organized by the Change We Need In Nigeria, in Abuja, said Buhari is used to interacting with men, but quickly added that the issue of gender is being looked into by the President.

Samani said: “If you are close to the President, you will know that he has the interest of the nation at heart.  He did not intentionally marginalized women.  It is just that Mr. President is shy with women. He has been interacting mostly with men. I can assure that in the shortest time, this issue of gender inequality will be dealt with.”

The former Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal at the event, said the then ruling party lost the last election to APC due to insecurity, economic challenges and corruption in high places, thereby forcing the people to seek for change.

“The change we seek is real and not mere rhetoric. People must feel it, torch it, and experience it across the different strata of our societies; in schools, churches, market places and at all our duty posts.

“It is not going to be business as usual. Many guilty Nigerians, on their own, have fled the country. Our public institutions are now working . The availability of fuel and the generation and distribution of power have improved ever since. All hands must be on deck for all of us to be these agents of change”, he stated.

Speaking at the event, Senator Chris Anyanwu expressed disappointment at the appointment made so far by the President, stating that despite the fact that the number one citizen benefitted immensely from women, he has relegated them to the background.

She noted that so far, no woman from South East has been given political appointment and that even the numbers of women in Buhari government is a far cry to what is obtainable worldwide.

“Mr. President has benefitted so much from us. We don’t expect him to draw us back. Women are able and strong to move this nation forward. Anything you do, you should know that the whole world is watching you. So far, women have been marginalized. No woman from the East has been given political appointment and the ones he did was a far cry to what is obtainable anywhere in the world.

“We talk of change but we are afraid of the change. We have moved from the era where women clap and dance for male politicians. President Buhari should be gender sensitive. Open the door and let women rise up to their full potential”, she said.

The Senator stated that gender equality should begin with parents by treating their children equally.