The Senator representing Ekiti Central senatorial district of Ekiti state, Mrs Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Monday, predicted victory for President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.
Senator Rasaki, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said assured Nigerian women that their empowerment and appointments would be the priority of President Buhari.
The Senator, who said Nigeria has not complied with the 35 percent affirmative action for women in government for elective and appointive positions, spoke during a courtesy call on the Barrister Paul Omotoso-led State Working Committee of the party.
She urged stakeholders to form part of the advocacy group to ensure that womenfolk are relevant in policy making in the country.
Despite losing the senatorial ticket to Hon Opeyemi Bamidele in the party’s primary held in September, 2018, Rasaki said she has no regret dumping her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.
She said the people of the state would vote massively for President Buhari in the February 16 election, adding that the massive vote for the APC would increased the rivalry between the APC and the PDP more than was witnessed during the July 14, 2018 governorship election.
The Senator said the Senate Committee on Women Affairs has a special advocacy organ canvassing for women participation in politics, expressing confidence that this will form part of the cardinal focus of President Buhari in his second term.
Rasaki added that the party had learnt from the mistake made during the governorship election lading to marginal victory for APC, saying the party is now working hard to create awareness on the need for people to vote President Buhari.
“We are creating awareness and working hard because our people were not really informed about the significance of that election. But this time, President Buhari will get more votes”.
The state APC chairman, Paul Omotoso, praised the senator for not destabilizing the party after losing the senatorial ticket, describing her decision to remain and work for the party as the hallmark of a good leader.
“When we told her that she was not the person we are going to present, she agreed with us. She didn’t cause crisis and we are assuring her that the party shall take care of her in the future.
“In APC, we know how we reward loyalty and those who are loyal like Senator Rasaki shall get their rewards someday”, Omotoso said.
