Following the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president-elect in the 2023 general election by the nation’s electoral body, groups have begun to lobby for appointments in the incoming administration.
LEADERSHIP reports that sequel to his victory in the February 25 presidential poll, the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer in the election, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, would be sworn in as president on May 29, 2023, to succeed President Muammadu Buhari who is finishing his second term in office.
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has enjoined the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to concede 50 percent of political appointments to Nigerian women.
The group also congratulated Tinubu and the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima on their victory at the presidential election.
The national president of FOMWAN, Hajia Rafiah Sanni, conveyed the group’s message to Tinubu in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The Islamic body praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting free, fair and credible elections.
It implored the aggrieved parties and their candidates to seek redress at the designated court of law and shun inciting statements capable of overheating the polity.
It, however, lamented that the Nigerian political system has not been fair to women which, it noted, “is evident with the insignificant number of seats won by women at the National Assembly as well as appointments made into cabinets.
“FOMWAN believes that neither the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor their oppositions can win a polling unit without the massive votes from the women folk.
“We therefore appeal to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima to make a difference by ensuring that competent women from across cultural and religious divides are considered for appropriate positions. We demand 50 percent of the appointments for women,” she said.
Give Us FCT Minister, Natives Tell President-elect
On their part, natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to President-elect Tinubu to give a ministerial slot to an indigene of Abuja in line with the existing court ruling, when he assumes office as the president of Nigeria.
The natives, under the auspices of the Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (GICC), FCT chapter, also appealed for the implementation of the political and administrative structures as provided for in the 1999 Constitution, to remove any semblance of discrimination against Nigerian citizens of FCT origin.
FCT-GICC coordinator, Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, while briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja on behalf of the natives, also appealed to Tinubu to create Mandate Secretariats for the benefit of political actors and party loyalists resident in the FCT.
“We are also appealing for the enhancement of the status and welfare of the traditional rulers in the FCT by the incoming Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Shettima administration, and special economic empowerment programmes to address the economic vulnerability of women and youth stratum in the FCT.
According to Ngbako, despite not winning the presidential election in the FCT, Tinubu had promised an all-inclusive government that will enhance the continued political development of the federal capital.
“The FCT-GICC is committed to continued discussions, engagement, and lobbying with the Tinubu/Shettima administration on the request we have made. We are very optimistic that the requests, which are for the betterment of the FCT people, will be considered by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Shettima administration, to the glory of God.”
He appealed to all Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu/Shettima administration in building a strong, united, and prosperous nation. “Together, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and create a better future for ourselves and future generations,” he said.
