By Daniel Obaje/Safia Abdulrahman
Princess Nikky Onyeri, National Convener of Forum of 2027 APC Female Aspirants Network (FAFAN), has appealed to Nigerian women to remain patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the president is working tirelessly to address challenges facing the country.
Onyeri made the appeal on Friday in Abuja at an event organised to endorse Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She said the endorsement is also aimed at showcasing the growing participation and capacity of women in politics, including women living with disabilities.
“The President, I can assure you, is working and you will feel more of his impact. The women should exercise just have a little patience and continue to give him their unwavering support.
“He is not sleeping, rather, he is working round the clock to make sure that all the nooks and corners of this country feel his impact.
“But don’t forget that our President has funded governors significantly, so governors should also be held accountable because they are closer to the people in their communities.”
Onyeri said the endorsement for Tinubu’s re-election is in recognition of what she described as the hugely effective of the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially on women across the country.
She also noted that the event also marked a new phase for women in politics, with more than 500 women showing interest in elective positions under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We gathered and contributed our money to orgarnise this event to strengthen the ongoing reforms and encourage more Nigerian women to join us, especially at grass roots level.
“This is the first time you would have more than 500 women stepping out with courage, compassion and resilience to say they want to contest for political positions.
“We are saying that women who have collected forms and have the capacity should be given tickets, while affirmative action should also be considered in elective positions, appointive positions and party structures.”
She urged women in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to support one another in unity and to mobilise grassroots support for the president ahead of the 2027 elections.
Onyeri added that the group is also promoting inclusiveness by encouraging the participation of youths and persons living with disabilities in politics.
“The leader of people living with disability is running for Senate in Kaduna State. That tells you this is the pursuit of inclusivity.
“That is what our party is about. That is why we are talking about women, youths and people living with disabilities, we are all moving together,” she said.
She, thereafter, called for increased empowerment programmes, improved welfare and greater representation of women in election and government appointments.
Also speaking, Mrs Edna Azura, President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), urged female aspirants to intensify grassroots mobilisation and support one another to improve women’s participation in politics.
Azura said women had begun changing the narrative by organising trainings, workshops and strategic engagements aimed at strengthening political inclusion and unity among women.
“As you heard from the various speakers, female aspirants were advised to go to the grassroots and campaign house-to-house and also seek support from fellow women because they cannot do it alone.
“In the past, women were said not to be active at the grassroots and women themselves did not support one another, but this time we have changed the narrative.”
Azura said that women are now adopting more strategic approaches to politics, including fundraising and coordinated campaigns to support female aspirants.
“We have had series of trainings and workshops to educate women on inclusivity, speaking with one voice and sourcing funds before venturing into politics.
“We are behaving like the men now, we meet, strategise and source support for female aspirants so that they can make headway.”
She commended Tinubu for appointing women into key positions and supporting initiatives aimed at improving women’s economic wellbeing.
“He has appointed many women as ministers, board members, special advisers and in several other positions.
“He has also supported women financially in many areas that can boost their income.
“But we are still pleading with him to support the passage of the special seats bill at the National Assembly because that will help women move closer to the 35 per cent affirmative action,” she said.
Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of state for Labor and Employment, urged women to come out en mass to support their fellow women, while laying emphasis on the importance of early campaign.
`I have come to you today to tell you that I am in full support of this administration,Our father Mr President has given us the chance, but we have to do the needful.
“We have to go to the grassroots and campaign, not with fake promises but with promises of meeting the needs of our people.’’
Sen. Ahmed Wada represented by his Senior Legislative aide Mr Ismaila Nuhu, said that they are in full support for women having high positions in policy decision-making.
“We are advocating for gender equality by encouraging more women to support our dear president.
“We also plead for policies that will give critical positions for our women at various levels particularly at national, state and local government levels.
The APC national women leader Mary Alile represented by a Commissioner from Cross River State, Mrs Mary Julius noted that APC women stand firmly behind the Tinubu administration.
“We believe in continuity, stability, and purposeful leadership.
“Our gathering today is for greater support for female aspirants within our party and across the nation.
“Women are not just voters; women are builders of homes, communities, businesses, and the nation itself. We have the competence, the capacity, the intelligence, and the compassion needed in leadership.