Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment to the empowerment of Nigeria women.
He promised to ensure that the rights of women as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, are protected under his government.
In his message to Nigerian women in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, Buhari promised to provide greater opportunity for Nigerian women when elected, especially in the areas of education, job creation and economic development.
He said : “My plan for Nigerian women has been made clear in ‘My Manifesto and Vision for Nigeria’. However, I would like to use this special opportunity that the world has set aside to celebrate women, to reiterate my personal commitment to the advancement of Nigerian women in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.”
In his ‘My Manifesto and Vision for Nigeria’ document released to the media in December 2014, General Buhari guaranteed that women will be adequately represented in government appointments. He also promised to provide greater opportunities for females in education, job creation, and economic empowerment.
He said further that “I will recognize and protect women empowerment and gender equality with special emphasis on economic activities in the rural areas”, adding that he would use the party structures to promote the concept of reserving a minimum number of seats in the States and National Assembly, for women.
“Women all over the world are playing an ever increasing role in moving their nations forward both in and outside government. In keeping with the times, my government will ensure that Nigerian women are given the opportunity to rise and play an even more prominent role in moving out great nation forward,” he said.
However, while marking the day with women at the headquarters of the APC Presidential Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari’s wife, Aisha asked Nigerian women to vote wisely during the forth coming elections, saying APC remains the party that would protect the interest of women in the country.
Hajia Buhari who was represented by the Wife of Nasarawa state Governor Hajia Mairo Al-Makura, maintained that explained that issues that revolves around women empowerment had been incorporated into the APC manifesto.
She assured that the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket would would uphold the theme of the international women day which revolves around women empowerment.
“We assure Nigerian women that the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket is the ticket to vote for. It is the ticket that would usher in the desired change in the life of our women and by extension that of our children who all require basic amenities like hospitals, schools, and security of lives and properties.
“Under an APC led administration, there would no misery and poverty in the land. I thereby appeal to our women to vote wisely for the needed change to come.”
She told women to live a virtuous life worthy of emulation, adding that if her husband is elected President, she will dedicate herself to the pursuit of the implementation of policies and programmes geared towards the upliftment of the Nigerian women.
