A former House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Mopelola Abdulmalik Bashir, has appealed to the leadership of the party in Kwara State to honour the loyalty, sacrifices and contributions of women in this state.
In this regard, he urged the party to concede the offices of deputy governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly to qualified female party members.
Bashir, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend, noted that while no female aspirant secured the party’s ticket for the National Assembly seats, the APC still has a historic opportunity to further consolidate its reputation as the most gender-inclusive political party in Nigeria.
She commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what she described as an unprecedented commitment to women’s participation in governance, noting that his administration has transformed the state into a national model for inclusive leadership.
According to her, the governor’s deliberate policy of appointing and empowering competent women at strategic levels of government has become one of the defining legacies of the Otoge administration and should be sustained beyond his tenure.
“His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has consistently demonstrated uncommon confidence in the capacity of women to lead and deliver.
“That bold leadership has not only inspired women across Kwara State but has also earned our party national recognition as a progressive platform that genuinely believes in equal opportunity.”
Bashir said the outcome of the National Assembly primaries should not be viewed as a setback for women, but as an opportunity for the party to once again demonstrate visionary leadership.
“I humbly appeal to our respected party leaders to honour the loyalty and immense contributions of women by considering competent female party members for the offices of Deputy Governor and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly.
“Such a decision would reinforce the APC’s progressive identity and preserve one of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s most enduring legacies,” Bashir said.
She noted that women have remained among the APC’s most dependable pillars, contributing immensely to electoral victories through grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and unwavering support for the party’s programmes and candidates.
