Anthonia Duru
Following the submission of commissioner nominees list to the Ogun State house of Assembly by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, a coalition of women group has charged lawmakers in the State to reject the list saying its not gender balance.
In a letter obtained by our reporter and dated December 13th, 2019, and jointly signed by the Executive Director, Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi; Kemi Asiwaju-Okeyondo of Rule of Law & Empowerment Initiative; Ireti Disu of Justice Development and Peace Commission and Doyin Ogunbiyi of Voice of Ogun Women on behalf of 33 other non-governmental organisations in the state, the women maintained that adequate women representation in Governance is needed for sustainable democracy and development in any society.
“We were surprised that out of 17 commissioners only two of the nominees are women. We believe that Your Excellency, through this action, has failed to keep to your promise of ensuring gender equity through at least 35% inclusion of women in your government.”the group declared.
The full text of the statement reads:
“We kindly want to remind Your Excellency about the promises you made in different fora in the presence of the media, that your cabinet will comprise 50% women.
May we further remind you of the critical role women played in ensuring your victory at the polls and also that former Governor Gbenga Daniel and Governor Ibikunle Amosun had 37% and 45% women respectively in their cabinets. The current number of nominees is less than 12% and that is totally unacceptable by any standards.
“We call on Your Excellency to emulate the Governor of Kwara State and other progressive governors who had ensured, irrespective of all odds, to be inclusive in their nominations and appointments,” the letter reads.
We also urge the leadership of the House of Assembly to show progressive leadership by failing to confirm these nominations until we have the proper composition that truly reflects a democracy.”
The women also issued the governor a three-day ultimatum ending Sunday 15th, to consider their demand for more women nominees in the cabinet. “
