Groups have started to push for appointments in the upcoming administration after the country’s electoral commission declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu the winner of the general election in 2023.
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, on their victories in the presidential election while urging Tinubu to provide Nigerian women a majority of political appointments.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State, the national president of FOMWAN, Hajia Rafiah Sanni, informed Tinubu of the group’s position.
The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) was hailed by the Islamic organisation for holding transparent, fair, and free elections.
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It pleaded with the aggrieved parties and their candidates to file a lawsuit in the appropriate court of law and refrain from making remarks that might inflame the political atmosphere.
Nevertheless, it bemoaned that the political system in Nigeria had not been equitable to women, which was “obvious from the small number of seats won by women in the National Assembly as well as appointments made into cabinets,” it stated.
“FOMWAN believes that neither the All Progressives Congress (APC) nor their oppositions can win a polling unit without the massive votes from the women folk.
“We therefore appeal to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima to make a difference by ensuring that competent women from across cultural and religious divides are considered for appropriate positions. We demand 50 percent of the appointments for women,” she said.
On their end, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged President-elect Tinubu to appoint an Abuja local to a cabinet position when he takes office as the leader of Nigeria, in accordance with the current court decision.
The natives also called for the implementation of the political and administrative structures outlined in the 1999 Constitution in order to end any perception of discrimination against Nigerian citizens who were born in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This call came from the FCT chapter of the Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (GICC).
The FCT-GICC coordinator, Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, urged to Tinubu to establish Mandate Secretariats for the benefit of political players and party supporters who reside in the FCT while briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja on their behalf.
Ngbako claims that Tinubu promised an inclusive government that will advance the ongoing political development of the federal capital even if he did not win the presidential election in the FCT.
“We are also appealing for the enhancement of the status and welfare of the traditional rulers in the FCT by the incoming Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Shettima administration, and special economic empowerment programmes to address the economic vulnerability of women and youth stratum in the FCT.
“The FCT-GICC is committed to continued discussions, engagement, and lobbying with the Tinubu/Shettima administration on the request we have made. We are very optimistic that the requests, which are for the betterment of the FCT people, will be considered by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu/Shettima administration, to the glory of God.”
He urged all Nigerians to work with the Tinubu/Shettima administration to create a powerful, cohesive, and affluent country. Together, he continued, “we can overcome the obstacles in our way and build a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.
The North East Development Association (NEDA) has also urged the president-elect to lead an inclusive administration and to endeavour to rule Nigeria without regard to ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation when he or she takes office on May 29, 2023.
The coalition’s secretary-general, Comrade Bitako Abubakar Umar, congratulated Bola Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima during a news conference held yesterday in Bauchi. He said their victory was evidence that Nigeria and Nigerians are increasingly moving away from sectarian and religious politics.
The presidential election has been concluded, and the winner has been declared, according to Umar, who stated that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians regardless of region, religion, culture, tribe, or political affiliation. As a result, if there are any issues or grievances, provisions for redress have been made under the constitution, which all citizens swore to uphold.
The delegation, which included representatives from the states that make up the sub-region, also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing the conditions necessary for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold the general elections in 2023 in a peaceful environment.
The North East Development Association also praised INEC for organising one of the most transparent, peaceful, free, and fair elections in recent memory under the leadership of Professor Mahmud Yakubu.
According to NEDA, the election was deemed the greatest since “opposition defeated the sitting Senators who were unable to be re-elected, differing from the tendency in Nigeria when incumbents decide who gets elected,” which is contrary to the country’s general election-related practise.
According to Comrade Bitako Abubakar Umar, it is essential for all Nigerians—youth, seniors, women, and children—to live in peace and retain their means of subsistence.
He emphasised that Nigerians should learn a lesson from the current EndSARS crisis since, in his opinion, the same Citizens are utilised by politicians to pursue positions of leadership.
