Politics
NCWS Wants More Women In Principal Positions
The National Council of Women Societies, (NCWS) on Tuesday called on the ninth National Assembly to appoint more women as principal officers and head of committees.
The national President of NCWS, Mrs gloria Shoda made the call in a statement in Abuja said that women who won seats in the national and states assembly should be given opportunity to serve in various committees as leaders.
According to her, I am appealing to the ninth national assembly to ensure that women who won seats in the National Assembly, be appointed principal officers and heads of committees.
“We also appealed to the states assembly to do a similar process.
“This will go a long way to encourage women to put in their best in the service of their father land.
“In the outgoing National Assembly, only one woman was made a principal officer- Senator Biodun Olujimi, deputy minority whip and later on became senate Minority leader.
“In the seventh National Assembly, in 2011, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande was appointed as the majority leader.
“So we are agitating that even though we still have a handful of women in both legislative chambers, they should not be relegated to the background in our democratic institutions,” she said.
Shoda said that in the current race for leadership positions in the ninth assembly, two names, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha have been put forward for Deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House respectively.
She said very few women have made it as speakers of the house and other leadership positions in the state assembly.
The NCWS president expressed hoped that some of the women would clinch leadership positions in the National Assembly, adding that the council want to see an increase in the number of women in leadership positions in the state legislatures.
Shoda also called on the President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors in the 36 states to appoint a substantial number of women into their cabinets.
She noted that the out-going Federal Executive Council, in its four year tenure, did not meet up with the expected 35 per cent affirmative action in the appointment of ministers.
Shoda said that most states have up to 20 per cent as commissioners in state executive councils but others had less.
“Nigerian women form half of the country’s estimated population of 200 million. We constitute 49.4 per cent, yet our voices are not heard in comparison to our number in decision-making bodies and governance in our country.
“The NCWS believes that it is time for us to be accorded a much better place in nation-building and participation in government, than where we are currently,” she said.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
-
Business4 hours agoNCDMB, Jake Riley Empower 250 Youths On Vocational Skills
-
Oil & Energy4 hours agoNNPCL Unveils Gas Master Plan 2026 …….Targets 10bcf/day production
-
News6 hours agoGovs Move To Prioritise Sugar For Industrial Growth
-
Sports5 hours agoEkitike Stars As Liverpool Upstage Newcastle
-
Politics3 hours agoPFN Rejects Call For INEC Chairman’s Removal Over Genocide Comments
-
News6 hours agoLand ownership disputes are civil matters, not police cases – FCID
-
Niger Delta3 hours agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports5 hours agoVilla Falter In Title Race After Home Loss