Used and Abandoned”: APC Women Campaigners Call Out President Tinubu Over Broken Promises

Members of the former All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Campaign Council have voiced their deep disappointment and frustration with President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of failing to fulfill his campaign promises regarding gender inclusivity in government appointments. These women, who played a pivotal role in mobilizing support for the APC during the 2023 elections, now feel abandoned by the President.

At a recent press briefing in Abuja, Elizabeth Ofuani Otunbalogun, the group’s spokesperson, did not hold back in her criticism of President Tinubu. She accused him of failing to honor his commitment to increasing women’s participation in governance, as outlined in the National Gender Policy of 2006, which sets a 35% target for women’s representation.

Otunbalogun highlighted that despite the promises made during the campaign, women remain significantly underrepresented in government positions. She pointed out that only 12% of the appointments made by the President in 2023 were women, and the figure has not improved in 2024, with just 12 out of 99 appointments being women.

The spokesperson also criticized President Tinubu for not rewarding those who delivered results at their polling units, particularly the women’s wing of the party. She called on the President to address this imbalance and ensure that women are given the roles they were promised.

Adesotu Vera, another member of the group, echoed these concerns, urging President Tinubu to remember the contributions of women who have remained loyal to the party. She emphasized the need for the 35% affirmative action to be implemented and called on the President to recognize the women who campaigned tirelessly for the APC.

Vera also highlighted that many of these women are highly educated and capable of taking on leadership roles within the government. She stressed the importance of empowering women by placing them in positions of authority.

The members of the APC Women Campaign Council are now calling on President Tinubu to make up for the deficit in women’s appointments and to ensure that gender inclusivity is upheld in governance. They believe this is crucial for correcting the current imbalance and ensuring that women have a significant role in the country’s leadership.