WOMEN OF THE APC hosted a conference on the 18th and 19th of January 2022 to highlight the importance of women’s involvement in politics. This conference was held at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), Nigeria. Themed, “One Voice Women Uniting for Progress”, topics on women’s inclusion were discussed
WOMEN OF THE APC hosted a conference on the 18th and 19th of January 2022 to highlight the importance of women’s involvement in politics. This conference was held at the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), Nigeria. Themed, “One Voice Women Uniting for Progress”, topics on women’s inclusion were discussed. The event had in attendance; governors, first ladies, senators, etc. The event was declared open by the First Lady of the Nation, Her Excellency, Mrs Ai- sha Buhari. (swine flu), and HIV/AIDS (the 1980s)—The COVID-19 pandemic brought devastating economic and social consequences on the demand and supply of goods and services; the free flow of trade, and the capital market etc. The impact on demand affected consumption, investment, trade, and travel (working through avoidance, fear, and uncertainty), whilst on the supply side, workforce and supply‐chain disruptions, business closures, and rising costs of doing business (World Bank, 2020). The effects have been amplified by demographic profiles (especially the young vs. the old), poor healthcare systems, poor or lack of social safety nets, cross-country spill-overs due to travel, and governments’ macroeconomic responses (including their credibility).
They also discussed the role of women as mentors for young female politicians. This was further emphasised by Dr Jewel Taylor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi and Dame Pauline Tallen.
Nigeria is the giant of Africa. This makes people wonder just what improvement will occur in Africa when Women in Nigeria are allowed to take “the driver’s seat”, as stated by Vice President of Liberia, Ms Jewel Taylor, at the APC Women Conference.
While the truth about splintering women’s opinions holds, another truth is that women in Nigeria are not fully represented in politics.
This can be seen in the fact that there is no balance between the Nigerian female population and women in politics. Almost half of the population of Nigeria are women. Still, we only have seven out of 109 senators who are women and only 22 women represented in the House of Representatives, which has 360 members.
Many countries celebrate women entering deep into politics, but we are still yet to reach 35% affirmative action in Nigeria.
Things are optimistic, though, as the President, Muhammadu Buhari, promised to bring about a change as 3% will be added to the affirmative action to make it 37% representation for women in the political sphere in Nigeria.
The women aimed to discuss the role of women in critical national issues, party progress and economic growth. The women seek visibility, leadership, development and strategic positioning in critical political offices.
For there to be growth in a nation, women must speak for the minority, and this can be achieved when their voices become one. The Plans for women’s inclusion in the Political Sphere in Nigeria
In the words of many speakers at the event, the issue of women’s involvement has graduated from receiving lip service to women in political positions. However, a major concern they espoused was that women do not occupy influential positions, despite being in many political positions, making it difficult for women to contribute to the country’s growth.
Most women were only relegated to national women leaders’ positions, which was the norm. Still, the conference aimed to correct this, so women can occupy positions beyond the ones they currently occupy from the local to the federal level.
In an interview before the conference, the APC women leader, Stella Okotete, mentioned that achieving this placement of women is a work in progress.
“I’m glad the government is working hard by repositioning women and giving them empowerment packages,” she said.
She enthused, noting that most social investment programs in the country are targeted towards women, and they have even created a platform that will help women surpass the previous norm. Ms Okotete also mentioned that they are working hard to train women to be prepared to occupy significant positions. That is why they decided to host this conference in the pre-election year. All this is because many women have vied for certain positions, but they need support to win, and that is why they will go through training on how to lobby, do grassroots negotiations and practice advocacy. Though going for specific positions is expensive, the conference aims to garner support.
The first lady, Aisha Buhari, launched an application to show that they are not just about talk but action. The app is the Progressive Women Academy (PWA), a digital platform where women who are vying for political seats can be located and trained in entrepreneurship, leadership and mental health. In a bid to boost women’s inclusion, APC gave discounts for party registrations and nominations to woo women to the party in preparation for the 2023 elections.
The academy launched by the APC women aims to train about 20 million Nigerian women for the next two years in political-related issues.
The APC women no longer want to see women as praise singers in political parties because women are ready to support the growth and development of the country.
Hence, they should be given better positions. The Congress wants to see women in National assemblies and other core positions with enough trust funds to aid participation.
To this effect, they want Nigerian women to stop selling their votes. Women can contest anywhere in the country and win.
In a Panel with Senator Grace Bent: she mentioned that no person should be discriminated against if they want to contest for elections. She urged women not to be afraid of coming out to vie for positions even if they are not indigenes of the state they reside in as they might have been married into those states. She cited herself as an example. Senator Bent is originally from Ilesa but is now a Senator representing Adamawa State. Her published book about this topic is titled “Women in Inter-Ethnic Marriages in Nigeria”.
Another panel which included several first ladies was moderated by Mrs Mary Ikoku, a development consultant and the current publisher- er and editor-in-chief of Working Moms Africa Magazine. They discussed “Giving Voice to Women’s Visibility”.
The first ladies on the panel include Barrister Chioma Uzodinma (wife of Imo State Governor), Mrs Bisi Fayemi (wife of Ekiti State Governor and Chairperson of Governor’s wife association), Mrs Bamidele Abiodun (First lady of Ogun State), and Mrs Kafayat Oyetola (First lady of Osun state).
They discussed how they have to encourage the next generation of women to delve into politics, the role of women in the Nigerian Political Space, and how the First Ladies should give voice to the women and help amplify their voices in different states.
As an advocate, Mrs Fayemi approached the topic and mentioned that women should first be protected and provided for and they should also be included in the political affairs of the state. Second, women’s qualifications should not only be for election mobilisation but should be considered for seats in political spheres. Third, she stated that first ladies should be there for these women and should not only reach out to them during elections. This is in line with what the Vice President of Liberia mentioned about keeping connections with those who helped propel you. She also pushed a question to the members of the National Assembly to give reasons why they are stalling when it comes to passing the gender equality bill and ask men what they have for women as they always require their votes.
Mrs Oyetola mentioned that the first ladies should engage women at all levels. She did this and gave examples of how they helped women get empowered through agriculture in Osun State while also providing maternity care for them and their children. She also mentioned that first ladies should gather other ladies in politics every week to pray and discuss politics. She noted that many women in Osun state had assumed local chairpersons, commissioners, and world leaders. She believes that women should be informed that they have a place in politics.
Approaching the matter, Mrs Uzodinma mentioned that during the COVID time, relief packages were sent to widows, orphanages and women in the grassroots in Imo state. She also answered the question of the usage of the gender policy in Imo state by stating that there are many women commissioners, magistrates, house of Rep chairpersons and local government chairpersons in Imo state, and they are pushing for more opportunities for women. This got a reply from Mrs Mary Ikoku about how the communication team in Imo State is not propagating the good things happening there. The first lady also noted that the first female Chief Judge in the state was sworn in by the first lady herself on the 13th of March 2020.
Her Excellency, Mrs Abiodun cited that though Ogun state has not achieved the 35% affirmative action, they are working towards it and nearing it. They have four female members of the House of Assembly, a health commissioner, women affairs, trade and investment and nine vice-chairpersons in Ogun state. She noted that the patriarchal way of thinking needs to be changed so that women can assume elective and elective offices, and this is the best time to do it as it is still a matter of discussion. Though there are able and willing women, many are limited by culture and funding.
As first ladies, they noted that first ladies could contribute to improving the visibility of women in politics. This can be done by mobilising structures, according to Mrs Fayemi. When her husband decided to run for office in 2006, she created a brand network of women stakeholders across the 16 local governments of Ekiti State, both young and older women who could contest for positions. Women should relate with first ladies no matter how high they are. The grassroots should have good relationships with those who are high up as this can encourage them to participate in politics. To Her Excellency Mrs Fayemi, if the First Lady earns her respect and women have a good relationship with her, they will join politics.
First ladies can mentor women to be self-sufficient, according to Her Excellency, Mrs Oyetola, as this will help them be independent and confident enough to indulge in politics. They will not need to depend on any godfather, sleep with anyone or pay money to anybody.
First ladies should encourage women to know that there is always room in politics for them because, without them, it cannot be functional just as Her Excellency, Mrs Uzodinma is doing. Women politicians are more loyal than the male and they can do better in political positions, therefore, they should be supported not only in words but in actions.
Adequate funding often limits women from participating in politics, but according to Mrs Abiodun, first ladies can build great support networks to support these women.
For Mrs Fayemi, a first lady must identify as a politician to be a sister, ally and friend to those women in the political sphere or those still aspiring. For Mrs Abiodun, if women are cared for, the economy will be more robust. Hence, they should be cared for both healthwise and concerning the government.
Women should be taught to unlearn the old ways and imbibe the new method, which helps women see themselves in decision-making positions.
Mrs Uzodinma said that for first ladies to help women’s visibility in their state, they have to be kind to each other and support each other. Women should be called together and spoken to. This was also seconded by the other first ladies, who echoed about how women should assist themselves and not allow anyone to override them.
Mrs Fayemi finalised by telling the brief history of how Amina Muhammed advocated for a trust fund for women in 2011 to train and empower women. She opined that these trust funds should not only be for APC women and all women in several states. Young women and many other female political aspirants from the grassroots should be paid attention to.
As a woman, any link you have to the political sphere is an opportunity to speak up for your sisters’ inclusion. This conference brought all this topic to light not just for the government but for the women concerned to learn how they can help and be helped.
One of the exciting moments during the event on the second day was the invitation of Mrs Lois Auta for her Goodwill speech. Mrs Lois Auta is a 38-year-old Polio survivor who is also an advocate who fights for the rights of disabled people. She is popularly known for her aspiration to be given a seat in the House of Representatives from the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari Ward at the Federal Capital Territory.
She stated that she looks forward to a Nigeria where women with disabilities are elected into office because they have the right to vote and be voted for.
Ms Ibijoke Faborode, the co-founder of ElectHER, presented this session and stood on the stage as one of the young people to address the conference. She spoke extensively about social capital for women, and here are her words well documented.
A woman’s social capital is how she positions herself. Social media is essential, and though it does not guarantee a win, it can help with a win. Women need to know their resources and know how to leverage them. She cited how her organisation raised 10 million dollars through funding alone because they knew how to leverage their social capital. For a woman, her network is her net worth. There are problems such as funding and visibility that hinder women from participating in politics, but women can overcome these problems with the right positioning. Ms Faborode later gave examples of how social media helped boost the End SARS able to make their voice stay unfaded in history.
Women should stop feeling entitled and looking for funds because they are women. They should leave the traditional thinking and focus on something entirely different by leveraging this present generation. Women should stop limiting themselves and should instead draw curiosity around.
ElectHER helps women enter into political positions.
Dr Mutale powerfully mounted the state to address how “she wants to see the African girl child marching with her mind, power and information with her male counterpart.”
In her view, girls should be trained to take on a leadership role, and the position of women in politics should be 50/50 as it will be good to have at least half of the population of African women in leadership positions.
Some roles and rules need to be broken, and women should stop “seeking permission” before learning to live. Women are the ones who will bring prosperity to Africa;
Hence women should no longer be marginalised, and the skills and wisdom of women can change Africa for the better.
To debate equality between men and women is an abomination by His Excellency Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi State Governor).
“Some of us went to school with smarter women, but then they ended up not doing well like men both in the national and other levels in society.”
“Thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, we have women playing international roles, also women ministers. We should fund more programs that will further improve the women’s movement in politics.” “In my discussion with the minister of women affairs, I told her that the fastest way to ensure that women participate in politics is to ensure that both at the national headquarters of the APC, at the respective party offices and world party offices. Places where you find that all directors and administrative members of the party are men, we should ensure that at every level women should be represented.”
“We should ensure that women interact moderately in political offices. In Kebbi state, there are women councillors and a woman as a chairman in the local government, notwithstanding the conservativeness in our state. Nigerian women expect more like the position of the vice president just like the vice president of Liberia.”
Chief Dr Jewel Taylor graced the APC Women’s Conference and delivered a powerful speech that motivated the crowd. She noted that it is excellent that people notice the gaps in history and that they should also consider other factors involved. She stated that conferences like this are the new regular and that any people who refuse to gather youth and women like this have been defeated.
She also mentioned that APC would go a long way if they included women in politics because the population of women in Nigeria is 49%, equating to almost half of the people. Dr Taylor also said that “there is a perception at every level that women are not united and cannot speak in one voice, but this event negates it”, making the dream of uniting women a possibility. To prepare a level playing field so that these hopes and aspirations are being met, the congress to be held in February will help achieve them.
After giving her introduction, she gave simple rules for networking as a political party. Quoting her: Be clear about what you want Take your conversations to the grassroots and to the people, Maintain tight control of the processes, and go beyond your normal circle of partisans – many partisans want to be a part of but have not been approached.
Identify valuable connections and connectors – some grassroots people can connect.
Women’s positions are always in the second tier, which is not the driver’s seat. Women can be in the driver’s seat to make sure that women are allowed to rule.”
Dr Taylor finished her speech by stating, “As long our modern ways of thinking prevent women from contributing to society, progress will be slow. It is time for a bold plan.”
Defining the next generation of people and states, and they must be brought on board. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
There is one rule, though– do not reciprocate as a means of re-payment for people’s goodwill. Most people think it is an affront to them because when they join you with their effort and hands, they don’t want a reciprocal act as you cannot pay for their work.
Hence, you must always stay connected to those who have helped you this far.
You should not forget those who believed in your dreams After stating all these important points, she moved on to list a few critical truths to power that the leadership of APC can imbibe if they want to achieve their dream of holding power for the next eight years.
“As we stand in this time and season, the world has changed before our eyes, and the perspectives of thinking have changed. A new world has been unveiled before our eyes. Consider the women in the next step.”
“The rules which honour God, political system and others must change drastically. They say there are women on the executive board, local level and political structures, but those positions are too small. The activities must reflect the dreams of women and must reflect the number of women in the country.
It is no longer local seats but specific seats allocated for women to be elected for 2023. We are capable, we are able, and we are ready. APC should be cognizant of the new platforms that can make and break an election. One single video on social media can destroy a whole election. The APC must put their boots on the ground.”
“To change the norm in Liberia, we went personally, house to house, market to market and even to people on the street. These words coming from the APC must be a dream upon which people are changed over time. The young people must believe that you are on their side. Young people trained to be in government should also be voted and elected. Allow women to be voted as governors, deputy governors, and senators and have a woman as vice president in your region.
This will bring about a new growth because women across the nation will vote for APC.”
“We must be honest and open about the power relationships between men and women. Each of us has a responsibility to help build a more enabling and supportive environment that puts the role of women
in the Centre of everything that is done. Strange things always seem impossible until it is done.”
“What is strange about a woman being in the seat of government?” “Read at the beginning of how God created heaven at the earth, and he said everything was good, so what did God see to realise that something was missing and put everything aside to create woman as a partner and as a twin? So how come we have moved from someone supposed to be a partner and a twin to someone on the other side? Life will not give you what you deserve, and it will give you what you put your energy into to bring about a resolution.”
“The APC women should be clear about what they want, put it in the resolution and be sure of what seats they want and where they aim to see women in the country. Women should give their resolutions to the governors of the APC. Those governors who are the champions of the HE4SHE movement should be accessible when the resolution is brought to their table. We should focus on the very values that put us apart. If all religions stick with their value and remove all cultures that hold women back, we can help women achieve the positions they deserve.”
“We have current examples of leaders within ranks to open women
In a panel coordinated by Hon Ibim Semeniteri, Hon. Pauline Tallen addressed how to get more women involved in politics.
In her speech, she made her pitch that “any nation that neglects women has no vision.” According to her, it is the responsibility of existing female politicians to “nurture and mentor the upcoming politicians”. “We have our first female elected speaker, the deputy governors of Kaduna and Osun who are females… and we have the responsibility to mentor and nurture the young ones that will take our place, and without mentoring, there will be no future for our young ones.”
“Today, we launched the women’s academy, and this academy is a platform for mentoring and nurturing future political women leaders. Women are the future hope and the only hope of our party and the country at large.”
“I, therefore, charge all women to mentor and nurture. Mentoring is key. We should mentor and support them to make sure they fulfil their dreams.”
Dame Pauline concluded by saying, “I call on all of you… All our first ladies have the right to take up mentoring.”
The future indeed looks bright for Women.
The First Lady of the Nation also made her mark at the APC Women Conference with her powerful speech on the future of women in the political sphere. She stated, “The future is bright for African women and our continent”. She further noted that when the role of women is prioritised in nation-building, there will be strong growth. The first lady of the nation then urged women to “go beyond paying lip service to putting women in our party in the government”.
She encouraged the party to put women in strategic offices within the party and more strategic ones within the government.
Speaking about the future and the party, she said, “Future indeed looks bright as APC continues to lead our country as women are finding their voices gradually.”
“This is a good omen for Nigeria because when women shine, society shines. We must get our titled 35% affirmative action, and if we do not get it, we must hold the governors accountable.”
After her speech, she declared and unveiled the Women Academy mobile app.
The APC Women Conference has made women all around the nation optimistic about the possibilities of a career in the political sphere. After listening to Ms Faborode make her speech about how ElectHER is willing to support any woman running for a position in 2023 and many other dignitaries promising to bring about the full inclusion of women, many are indeed optimistic. We hope this will be the new normal, just as Dr Jewel Taylor has rightly stated.
The event ended with delegates from each state going upstage to celebrate the event and introduce themselves.
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