The national chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi, on
Monday, received many dignitaries,
including the Minister of Women Affairs and
Social Development, Jummai Alhassan, at the
Wadata plaza headquarters of the
opposition party.
According to a report by PUNCH, Makarfi told
his guest that he was proud of her exploits
and that he was not surprised because she
was trained and brought up by the PDP.
“I am not very surprised that you are doing
well because you were trained and brought
up by the PDP,” he was quoted to have said.
Makarfi also expressed support for the
enactment of a law for the gender parity in
politics and participation in governance.
He told women to be ready to pay for
nomination forms instead of waiting to be
asked to pick them free by political parties.
“If it is in compliance with the law,
everybody will comply, but if you leave it
flexible, it is an escapist route. Forget about
the nomination form, pay and get the ticket.
Let us do the right thing,” he said.
He called for legislation backing the 35 per
cent affirmative action on women
participation in politics and government in
the ongoing constitutional amendment
process.
While speaking earlier, the minister urged
parties to adopt a policy of voluntary
electoral party gender quota system to
ensure more participation of the womenfolk
in politics and governance.
“Although the Nigerian constitution
guarantees equality for everyone in all
spheres, women have not enjoyed this
constitutional right,” she said.
“As a result, we have been overtaken by
countries like Rwanda with 66 per cent
women’s representation in parliament,
South Africa with 40 per cent, Seychelles
over 50 per cent, Ghana, 35 per cent and a
large chunk of the other African countries
with over 25 per cent.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria stands at less than
six per cent, making the country, though the
‘Giant of Africa,’ a midget in comparison to
others in this area.”
She appealed to parties to assist women as
various political parties commenced
preparations for 2019 general election.
In 2011, Alhassan, who contested the
senatorial election of Taraba north under
the platform of the PDP, defeated Jolly
Nyame, a former governor, who ran under
the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Alhassan defected to the ruling All
Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged
the party’s governorship candidate but lost
to Darius Ishaku, the incumbent governor.
President Muhammadu Buhari later made
her a minister and member of his cabinet.
