Kano: Lawmakers, others make case for female candidates

A group, Conference of Female Parliamentarians (CONFEPA), made of elected female members of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and non- governmental organisations like Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), yesterday, condemned the call by some political leaders and ulamas in Kano State to drop two female nominees of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje for chairpersons of local government.

Addressing a press conference in Benin, yesterday, Chairperson of CONFEPA, who is also the Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon (Mrs) Elizabeth Ativie flanked by the Secretary, Hon (Princess) Titilayo Akerele from Ekiti State House of Assembly and Hon Shola Ogbemudaibo from Delta State House of Assembly, said the decision to drop the women, Architect Binta Fatima Yahaya and Hasiya Ismail Mukhtar, negates constitutional and global charters that kick against discrimination against women.

She said it was shocking that there were no clear reasons for dropping the two women. “We wish to state clearly that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is the supreme law of our land guarantees freedom for all, including women to aspire and occupy political positions.”
  She called on the Minister of Women Affairs to intervene.