For his commitment towards the cause of women in Kwara state, thousands of women in the state say Governor Abdurahman AbdulRazaq deserves a second tenure. Writes UMAR BAYO ABDULWAHAB.
Political appointments
In December 2020, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state made history by appointing nine women as commissioners in his estwhile 17-member cabinet.
The number of women in the cabinet, represents 56.25 percent, a percentage that even surpassed the 35 percent affirmative action for women in such appointments across the globe.
Expectedly, the appointment was greeted with divergent views from observers of the trend of events in the state since the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), party clinched on to power through the Otoge mantra.
While some saw the appointment of nine women as against six men as a novel idea in governmance, others were of the views that it was not a wise decision to give women that much place in governance, as according to then, such might be counter-productive.
But against all odds, the women proved their mettle by recording significant achievements in their ministries and after a year in offices, the cabinet was dissolved precisely on December 31, 2020.
The governor’s soft spot for women earned him accolades both from within and outside the country as he was bestowed with various ‘He for She’ awards.
Pay back time
Back home, two years gone into the tenure of the AbdulRazaq’ s administration, women from all walks of life recently converged in Ilorin to make an appraisal of thier place under his administration and declared that it is pay back time for the recognition and opportunity given to them by the governor to excel.
At a rally held at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, women in politics, business, entertainment and sports gathered in their thousands to express support for the governor’s gestures which they said were unprecedented in the history of the state.
Citing his gender-friendly cabinet, social investment programmes, health and education projects and attention to basic amenities that ease things for women, they passed a vote of confidence on the governor.
Organised by the special assistant to the governor on women empowerment, Hajia Bolanle Ismail, women groups in different attires were unanimous in their calls for AbdulRazaq to run for another term, having achieved remarkable successes in education, health-care, road infrastructure, support for farmers and provision of basic amenities in the last two years.
Testimonies
In her address to the mammoth gathering, the commissioner for women affairs and social development, Mrs Deborah Aremu, said the administration has made a huge difference in the lives of the people, especially women in the state.
“His Excellency has achieved so much in the past two years. These cut across women inclusion and empowerment, health care, infrastructure, security, welfare, agriculture, environment, sports, arts and culture, capacity building and development as well as social justice,” she said.
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s achievement are visible for all to see. This is true for women as it is for other segments of the state. Apart from gender inclusion, some specific pro-women interventions include signing into law the violence against persons prohibition bill to further create a social support system for victims of sexual and gender-based violence in the state, renovation of children reception centre, establishment of sexual assaults referral centre at Oko-Erin, women empowerment and skill acquisition programme.”
Hajia Ismail, on her part, explained that the rally was organised to show support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq whom she said had proven to be the most gender- friendly governor in Nigeria.
“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has gone down in history as the first African leader with the highest number of female cabinet members and political appointees. Over 56% female in the cabinet which is way far over the 35% sought by Beijing declaration,” she observed.
“The governor has appointed women to head strategic government offices. Also, the appointment of 12 female permanent secretaries remains the highest in the history of the state.
“Dearest Kwara women, it is now time to reciprocate the good gesture by this administration of His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Kwara women are known for paying good with good. AbdulRazaq’s unprecedented achievements deserve to be acknowledged. Thus, AA deserves a second term. On behalf of Kwara women, I say one good term deserves another.”
Dr Shaadat Yetunde Yusuf, another attendee, said the mega rally was to publicly declare women’s support to Governor AbdulRazaq, saying the governor has done extremely well especially in terms of women empowerment and inclusion in the decision making processes.
“This is the first time we are having very significant number of women in state cabinet. He recognises us as women. He knows that without women, there cannot be the world. That is why he gives us special recognition. With this mega rally, we are telling him that Kwara women are in full support and we are also telling him that he should come for second term,” she said.
The state commissioner for education and human capital development, Hajia Saadatu Modibo Kawu added that, “Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been doing great things for women in Kwara state. We have never had it so good for women in the history of the state. This is a first time in the country that you see a governor who gives women special recognition in his cabinet. That is why we owe him our support and we have to celebrate him as well.”
Princess Abolanle Abidemi of ‘Like-minds Women Forum’ said it was obvious that the administration has given voice to women like no other government in the history of the state and it was only fair to stand by him.
“Whether in the area of gender inclusion or policy measures and programmes that favour women, no fair-minded person would score him low. He has done well and the records are there. Look at the number of our women commissioners, permanent secretaries, top officials, heads of statutory agencies. It has never been so and we are truly grateful,” she said.
“AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appreciates women and he is very passionate about their welfare especially, widows and the less privileged. He gave us Owo-Isowo, Owo-Arugbo. His passion for the welfare of women is apolitical and he is doing it without any political affiliation.
“So, he deserves the second term if he ever desires that. That is why we have organised this mega rally to tell the world that women who are not politicians are in his support because he deserves a second term.”
With less than two years to the general election, it seems the women in the state have set a direction for their folks to go come 2023.
But analysts said it is one thing to make a declaration; it is another thing to translate such into balloting and electoral victory.
Alhough, Governor Abdulrazaq has not publicly declared his intenstion to seek re-election come 2023, but there are indications that his admirers and supporters are clamouring for his re-election.
Will these women really walk their talk and pay back their benefactor in 2023? That is the moral burden for which observers of unfolding events are really looking up to them to fufufil.
