● Yilwatda to women leaders: “My voice will be there when appointments are made”
APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has pledged greater inclusion for women in elective and appointive positions, saying the party will “plant more flowers” in State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly and other leadership roles ahead of 2027.
Yilwatda gave the assurance Tuesday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja while receiving National Women Leader Dr. Mary Alile Idele and the 6 zonal + 17 newly elected state women leaders.
—“Women are the pillars of this party”—
“You are the pillars of this party in rain and sunshine. During campaigns, you are there. During elections, you are there,” Yilwatda told the delegation.
Using a flower analogy, he said: “Women are the flowers, not just of our homes but of our country. When flowers are planted around a house, they bring colour and fragrance. You have brought those qualities to our great party. We want to plant more flowers in our State Houses of Assembly, in the National Assembly and in positions of leadership.”
—“Gender should never be a barrier”—
The APC chairman said women have the competence and capacity to lead, and vowed to personally champion their cause in 2027.
“Our party is blessed with women of immense capacity. Being a woman does not make you less than a man. We must empower you. We must strengthen you,” he said.
“When appointments are being made in 2027, my voice will be there for you. When campaign councils are being constituted, you can be sure of your participation. I will stand behind you all the way.”
Yilwatda also redefined federal character to include gender: “Federal character is not only about where you come from; it is also about gender. We have daughters whose future depends on the decisions we make today. If I do not speak for you now, who will speak for my daughters when their turn comes?”
—Women leaders seek more slots, funding—
Dr. Mary Alile Idele commended Yilwatda’s “inclusive, unifying and inspirational” leadership and thanked First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for supporting women empowerment.
She said women remain at the forefront of APC’s electoral victories and grassroots mobilisation despite challenges. She appealed for greater inclusion at all levels and adequate representation in campaign councils.
“We therefore appeal for greater inclusion at all levels of governance because women remain a formidable pillar of the success of our great party and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Alile said.
She also requested regular operational support for the Office of the National Women Leader to coordinate activities nationwide.
Both sides ended the meeting with a commitment to deepen women’s participation and consolidate APC’s position as “the most inclusive and progressive political party in Nigeria.
