A group of concerned citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
under the auspices of a campaign platform called ‘More Women’, has
submitted a letter of support to the chairman of All Progressive
Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomole calling on party leaders to do
the needful by supporting the expression of interest of two women; Hon.
Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and Senator Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, both
women have distinguished themselves in the National Assembly and are
both vying for the position of Speaker and Deputy Senate President.
More Women Campaign is a group of diverse non-governmental
organizations, concerned with the continued marginalization of women in
leadership positions in the country and committed to ensuring that women
are in decision making positions in line with Nigeria’s international
commitments on gender equality.
According to the group, Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Elected
on the platform of APC) is vying for the position of Speaker at the
House of Representatives, Hon Onyejeocha has acquired a great deal of
legislative experience while serving as honorable member representing
the Isuikwato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Abia State in the House
of Representatives from 2007 to date. She is the current Chairman, House
Committee on Aviation for the Second consecutive term. In the just
concluded 2019 general elections, her constituents for an unprecedented
fourth time re-elected her to continue to serve them, giving her the
impetus to desire to take the up the Speakership position for greater
impact.
Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is no doubt a ranking member and has
recorded landmark achievements, worked tirelessly to advance and
institutionalize societal development. As a Federal Lawmaker, her
attendance and participation at parliamentary sittings are phenomenal,
Hon. Onyejeocha has successfully put together and assisted in the
passage of several bills into laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Moreover, as the current House Committee Chairman on Aviation, Hon.
Onyejeocha has consistently supported the Transformation Agenda of the
current Administration and has significantly contributed in bringing
sanity to the aviation sector that was becoming a source of a nightmare
to Nigerians and a reproach to the nation at the international
community. These laudable efforts have been commended by all
stakeholders’ in the industry.
Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is a dynamic, vibrant and a
well-informed legislator, whose records of accomplishments both in the
public and private sectors have left no one in doubt about the height
she is yet to attain. She had dealt with a wide spectrum of issues of
national, regional and local importance. Her honest and practical
approach sets her apart from the other candidates. She has shown great
concern for the nation, and her willingness to listen to people’s
problems is commendable.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Elected on the platform of APC) is vying for
the position of Deputy Senate President of the Upper Chamber, former
First Lady of Lagos State and currently a ranking senator representing
Lagos Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. She has
served the party dutifully and has held several positions within the
NASS including being the Chairman of Women Committee and Environment at
different times, Chief Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu is very connected to her
constituency and holds frequent town hall meetings with the people, a
record which distinguishes her from the very many pools of people in
NASS who are often disconnected from their constituency, she is a
regular, vocal and distinguished member of the hallowed chamber who
hardly misses any sitting and at different times expressed support for
the popular views of the people in the Senate.
More Women Group, therefore, shows her support for these
highly-distinguished women and their campaign as it is important to have
women in leadership positions at all levels especially in the
legislative arm of Government.
The group, therefore, calls on the leadership of the party and
members of the NASS to consider these eminently qualified female
parliamentarians for the posts they are vying for, more so that they are
both ranking members and possess all the attributes expected of the
said positions. Taking this step, will not only position All
Progressives Congress (APC) as a gender friendly party but it will go a
long way in placing Nigeria in the comity of nations committed to gender
equality and women’s participation in power and decision making. It
will set a precedent for other governments across Africa and increase
the gender rating of Nigeria
