The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has challenged political officeholders across the various political parties in Nigeria, to walk the talks on gender equity.
This was as she commended the House of Representatives for initiating and passing for second reading, the bill seeking 70 out of the 360 legislative seats for women.
Mrs. Tinubu, who gave the charge in her speech at the spotlight initiative of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association, held at the alternate Chamber of the Senate, National Assembly, Abuja Monday, said there was a critical need to address and overcome the persistent gender disparities in the nation’s political system.
“To fully achieve this across the board, we must be seen to walk the talk”, she said.
She said the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), had taken significant steps to remove financial barriers by making nomination forms for elective positions free for women at the grassroots level.
“Constitutional amendments may also be necessary to enshrine gender equity in political representation.
“I commend the House of Representatives for passing the bill seeking to reserve 74 seats for women in the National Assembly in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and governance.
“I believe that the leadership in the Senate is gender-friendly and urge the 10th National Assembly to give women the necessary support.
“Nigerian women are smart and intelligent and can work alongside our male counterparts, without friction for the good and development of our country”, she said.
