A coalition of over 200 women organisations under the aegis of More Women Campaign Group (MWCG) has commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State for nominating nine women out of 16 persons in his cabinet.

According to them, the gesture and figure, representing 56.25 per cent would be recorded in history as the first of its kind in Nigeria as the governor has “broken the cycle of women’s exclusion in Nigeria.”

While applauding the All Progressives Congress (APC) for supporting the development in the state, the women groups called on all other state governors to “imbibe the culture of equitable representation for better and prosperous governance.”

Among the over 200 women groups who signed statement commending the governors were the chairperson, Transition Monitoring Group and co-convener of MWCG, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, who is also Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre.

Other signatories included Chief Executive of Gender and Development Action, Dr. Nkoyo Toyo; Executive Director, Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative who is also Coordinator, Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development Goals, Ms. Mojisola Akinsanya and Executive Director, Partners West Africa - Nigeria, Kemi Okenyodo.

The statement reads: “The More Women Campaign Group writes collaboratively as Nigerian women, professionals and experts representing different regions, ethnicities, economic, social and political allegiances as well as organizations for youths and persons with disabilities.

“We applaud Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for nominating nine women out of his 16-persons cabinet. This gesture will be recorded in history as the first of its kind in Nigeria. This step by Mr. Governor, resounds the yearning of well-meaning Nigerians, home and abroad. The appointment demonstrates his support for women voices and serves as a recognition of their relevance in the society.

“We believe that this form of democracy provides the opportunity for open, responsible and accountable system of governance that thrives on the principle that power belongs to the people and that every strata of the society is represented. We have noted with gladness the representation of young people and minority groups within the appointment.

“Modelling a best practice of this nature is important for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. We therefore applaud His Excellency breaking the cycle of women’s exclusion in Nigeria. We applaud the APC for supporting this development in the state and call on all other state Governors, to imbibe the culture of equitable representation for better and prosperous governance.

“We call on the distinguished women so appointed to embrace the culture of inclusion, transparency and accountability, to demonstrate the importance of women contributions to good governance. We appreciate you, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for this gesture as it counts for your state and for Nigeria as a progressive feat!”

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