Buhari’s Minister Reunites With Makarfi At PDP Headquarters

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Jummai Alhassan, on Monday reunited with the National Chairman of her erstwhile Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ahmed Makarfi.

Alhassan, who led women leaders on adoption of gender quota policy to PDP secretariat, lamented Nigeria’s poor performance and backwardness in the area of women’s participation in politics.

“Although the Nigerian constitution guarantees equality for everyone in all spheres, women have not enjoyed this constitutional right. As a result, we have been overtaken by countries like Rwanda with 66 percent women’s representation in parliament; South Africa with 40 percent; Seychelles over 50 percent; Ghana 35 percent and a large chunk of other African countries with over 25 percent. Unfortunately, Nigeria stands at less than 6 percent making Nigeria the ‘Giant of Africa,’ but a midget in comparison to others in this area,” said the minister.

Makarfi, while receiving Alhassan and many other dignitaries at the Wadata plaza headquarters, praised the minister for her exploits and advocacy for women participation in politics.

The PDP Chairman said, “I am not very surprised that you are doing well because you were trained and brought up by the PDP.”

Speaking further on passing of a law for gender parity in politics, he said “If it is in compliance with the law, everybody will comply, but if you leave it flexible, it is an escapist route. Forget about the nomination form, pay and get the ticket. Let us do the right thing.”