10th NASS: Female Rep condemns APC, Bemoans Women’s Exclusion

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member representing Remo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Adewunmi Onanuga, has protested the exclusion of women in the zoning formula released by her party ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly (NASS).

Onanuga said all the women who expressed interest in leading the 10th NASS were denied a chance by the APC in a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics on Thursday.

“Three of us emerged with aspirations. The reason we wanted to put our hats in the ring is that we feel that the female gender needed to have a seat at the table of decision-making,” she said.

Not one woman, not two women, but “most likely three women in the leadership of 10 people” should be given an opportunity, the representative, who was successfully re-elected to the green chamber, said.

Godswill Akpabio and Barau Jibrin received support from the APC National Working Committee (NWC) earlier this week for the positions of Deputy Senate President and Senate President, respectively. Additionally, Tajudeen Abass and Benjamin Kalu received the support of the ruling party for the jobs of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

Onanuga said in a statement on Thursday, “We are requesting that whatever is left in the majority, at least one should come to a woman and two others. I don’t believe that asking for three out of ten is unreasonable.

“There are eight more seats in the House of Representatives after the two presiding seats were filled. Five for minority leaders and three for the majority. If we are to base our decision on the recent court victory for 35 percent affirmative action.

‘There Is No Balance’

The disgruntled candidate for deputy speaker claimed her party ought to have consulted its members before announcing any zoning formula.

“It’s critical that equity win out. There is no balance in the current state. 4-0 for presiding officers is not a good balance. We need to truly engage some more and recognise all those who are aggrieved. I am outraged, mainly for myself and for the (lack of) gender balance,” she stated.