The Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu Support Group, AATSG, has condemned the apparent lack of respect for women by the Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum in his recent cabinet appointments.
In flagrant disregard of the thirty percent affirmative action that has been globally recognised to be set aside for women in political appointments, Zulum chose only one woman among the twenty appointees.
This condemnation was contained in a press release signed by the chairman of the organisation, Otunba Abayomi Odunowo and made available to newsmen.
Odunowo said these appointments by Zulum smells male chauvinism which has no place in modern societies. He said gone are the days that men relegated women to obscurity saying some of the best political leaders in modern times have turned out to be women.
Citing many examples like the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and former German chancellor, Angela Merkel, the national chairman urged Zulum to retrace his steps and balance the appointments.
He opined that the only woman on the list was to head Ministry of Women Affairs, contending that if there was no ministry for women, perhaps the governor would have made the list one hundred percent men.
The statement also called on the legislative assemblies to always reject any appointment list that is overtly biased against women.
Odunowo warned that actions like this could lead to vote loss for All Progressive Congress, APC, as statistics has shown that women vote more at elections.
The statement reads in part, “AATSG condemns the recent appointments made by the Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum. The appointments is a disappointment to all women across the country especially in the north where there’s always greater call for girl child education.
“As an organisation, we stand for political recognition of our women. They are intelligent and capable of manning any political position no matter the challenges.
“Nigeria’s history is replete with competent women leading efforts for equality and a great number of them are amazons of human evolution.
“Gone are the days when men thought they knew everything. We must at least do the barest minimum of thirty percent allocated to women especially in political appointments.
“We want the governor to correct this anomaly and include more women to encourage our mothers and daughters. We should not be champions of women in our speech alone. We must practice what we preach.
This is contained in list signed by ALHAJI USMAN JIDDA SHUWA.
SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMEN.
- Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji
Ministry of Health & Human Services - Hon . Pogu Lawan Chibok
Ministry of Inter – Government Affairs & Special Duties - Arc. Isa Garba Halidu
Ministry of Works - Hon . Abatcha Umar Ngala
Ministry of Religious Affairs - Hon . Engr . Alhaji Mustapha Gubio
Ministry of Rehabilitation , Reconstruction & Resettlement. - Hon . Engr . Lawan Abba Wakilbe
Ministry of Education - Hon. Engr . Tijjani Alkali Goni
Ministry of Water Resources - Hon. Dr. Ali Bunu Mustapha
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources - Hon. Sugun Mai Mele
Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs - Engr . Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe
Ministry of Higher Education , Science , Technology & Innovation - Hon . Sainna Buba
Ministry of Youth , Sports & Poverty Alleviation - Hon . Yerima Lawan Kareto
Ministry of Trade , Investment and Tourism - Hon . Engr . Yuguda Saleh Vungas
Ministry of Housing and Energy - Hon . Abubakar Tijjani
Ministry of Transport - Hon . Madu Lawan Buba Walama
Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Development - Hon . Adamu Alhaji Lawan
Ministry of Finance , Budget and Planning - Barr.Kaka Shehu Lawan
Ministry of Justice - Arc , Yerima Saleh
Ministry of Environment - Hon . Baba Kura Abba Jato
Ministry of Home Affairs Information and Culture
AATSG is a political pressure group founded to work for the emergence of the former Lagos State governor and the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu to be the next president of Nigeria come 2023.
The group, with membership across the country is determined to knock every door with the gospel of Tinubu showcasing his past sterling achievements at both in private and public sectors as reasons for him to take Nigeria out of the current political cum economic conundrum.