Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
A coalition of women rights organisations on Saturday issued a three-day ultimatum to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to nominate more women in his cabinet.
They said it was unacceptable for the governor to include only two women out of the 17 commissioner-nominees he sent for confirmation to the state House of Assembly. They said this was in contrast to his promise to have at least 35 per cent of women in his government.
In an open letter to the governor, they also asked the leadership of the Assembly to “show progressive leadership” by not confirming the nominees until the gender composition was reviewed.
The letter, dated December 13, was signed by the Founder/Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr Abiola Akiyode–Afolabi; Ms Kemi Asiwaju-Okeyondo (The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative), Ms Ireti Disu (Justice Development and Peace Commission) and Doyin Ogunbiyi (Voice of Ogun Women).
The letter partly read, “We believe that through these actions, Your Excellency have failed to keep to your promise of ensuring gender equity through at least 35 per cent inclusion of women in your government. We were surprised that out of 17 commissioner-nominees, only two are women.
“We kindly want to remind the governor about the promises that the cabinet will comprise 50 per cent women, which Your Excellency made at different fora in the presence of the Nigerian media.
“May we also remind the governor about our open letter on the above subject on July 27 2019 and the subsequent protest by women in the state to the governor’s office, where they were received by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and the public assurances made to the mammoth crowd of women representatives.
“May we further remind Your Excellency, of the critical role women played in ensuring your victory at the polls and also that in the last four administrations; to wit, former governor Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun had 37 per cent and 45 per cent women respectively in the cabinet. The proposed number of nominees by the governor is less than 12 per cent and is totally unacceptable by any standard.”
They said more women in leadership would facilitate sustainable democracy and development.
