Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has criticised the National Assembly for rejecting five gender bills, describing the action of the lawmakers as a major setback to the country’s democratic advancement
Wike said it was wrong for the National Assembly controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC ) to deny women desirable roles in politics.
He spoke at the inauguration of Ahoada -Odiemerenyi -Ihugbogo -Odieke Road project in Ahoada-East Local Government Area on Friday.
He recalled that women, including the wife of the President and Vice-President,
Mrs. Aisha Buhari and Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, earlier approached, lobbied and secured assurances of members of the National Assembly for an affirmative action.
Wike said it was baffling that the lawmakers went against their assurances to frustrate the bills requesting such legislative rights.
He said: “Look at what happened in the National Assembly. I watched it and I laughed when I saw our wives, and women were disgraced. It has never happened anywhere. I saw wives of the president and vice president go to plenary session of the National Assembly to lobby them, to please help them.
“They (National Assembly) promised them. The party (APC) promised them. The same party that promised them failed them.”
Wike argued that such thing would not be allowed to happen in progressive societies that had continued to harness the potential of women in the advancement of their countries.
He blamed the rejection of the bills on President Muhammadu Buhari’s lack of interest in allowing affirmative action for women in political administration in the country.
“APC controls the National Assembly. If Mr. President was in support of this, there is no way they will disgrace women in the National Assembly. Such shameful thing”, he said.
The Governor noted that the situation in Rivers State was different because women were an integral part of political administration of the state.
He explained that there “are 23 female vice chairmen of local governments in Rivers and at least five female councillors in each local government area”.
He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had deliberate gender policy in the state.
He said: “Look at in this state, as a matter of policy, we said we are going to do this and we agreed that if women cannot be chairman of councils, they cannot be refused the position of vice chairmen.
“Today, in this State, all 23 vice chairmen are women. Today, in this State, we said we must have five women as councillors in each local government. It is a matter of policy and It is leadership.”
Wike boasted that he had used politics and governance to better the socioeconomic conditions of communities and made the people happy.
The gyovernor said sustaining national development and providing a thriving economy for Nigerians was not difficult to attain across the country.
He said a lack of passion in leadership to improve the life of the people, and tendency of the APC to inflict pains on Nigerians created the impression that governance was difficult.
He said: “There is nothing difficult in Nigeria. It is just because they want to punish the people. When people talk about Nigeria is lacking this, Nigeria is lacking that, I say it is because of the leadership.
“There is no passion for this country. They(APC) are not committed to the development of this country.”
Performing the inauguration of the 10.2km Ahoada -Odiemerenyi-Ihugbogo-Odieke Road project, former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi said Rivers State had a truly difficult terrain, and it took courage and love to invest in such developmental projects to better life of rural dwellers.
He said it was imperative for the PDP to take over power at the national level to enable the people enjoy passionate leadership.
Makarfi, however, sued for greater unity in the PDP and undivided focus towards returning to power at the national level.
Providing the description of the road, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the Ahoada -Odiemerenyi -Ihugbogo -Odieke Road project is 10.2km long and 7.3m wide.
Tasie-Amadi explained that the road, which will benefit the many communities in Ahoada as it opens them up to three local government areas of the state.
“There will be improved access to local markets, health centres, educational facilities,public transportation etc.
” With the improved road access, more products will be available locally, and the number of local businesses will increase.
“The value of agricultural land will also increase significantly following the completion of this road. All these benefits put together will increase the net income of the targeted beneficiaries.”