On behalf of Nigerian women, I hail Federal Court of Appeal’s verdict restoring Senator Aishatu Binani as Governorship Candidate of APC for 2023 Election.

CHIDIMMA UCHEGBU-Abuja

As what I consider the greatest impetus to the struggle of Nigerian women to ensure gender-parity in the political and administrative space of Nigeria, as well as my intense advocacy as the Minister of Women Affairs to ensure that more women take their rightful place at the decision-making table in Nigeria, I receive with much joy, the news of the victory today, 24th November, 2022 at the Federal Court of Appeal in Yola, the restoration of the revered Senator Aishatu Binani as the Governorship Candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Adamawa State.

The judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal effectively set aside the earlier verdict of the Federal High Court which in October 13, 2022 declared the candidature of Binani as invalid and unlawful, thus casting a shadow on the optimism of Nigerian women’s right to aspire to any level of political position.  This has now been upturned by the Federal Court of Appeal.

I therefore, see the Federal Appeal Court judgement of today as particularly appealing and is sure to be hailed by all women across the nation, especially, for the Court’s directive for the immediate recognition of Aishatu Binani as the APC Governorship candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

I say with all emphasis that, this is the beginning of good things to happen to women across the Nation.

I can also boldly add that Nigerian women are indebted to the trio of Justices of the Federal Court of Appeal, Yola, in Justices T.Y. Hassan (Presiding) and Judges M.O. Bolaji as well as J.G. Abundagam.  On behalf of all Nigerian women, I call on other men who will not want to accord women their rights, to stop kicking against the plans and will of God.  For, it is the sure will of God for women not to be oppressed but allowed to fulfil the will of their Maker.  We have said it many times that if more women are allowed at the decision-making table, the right decisions about social and economic development will be taken and our nation will be the better for it.

Nigerian women see no merit just as the Federal Court of Appeal has now judged it that there is no merit whatsoever in male-chauvinism in political contests.

There are very many women in the mould of Senator Aishatu Binani who have paid their dues in public service and are eminently qualified to aspire to any political and administrative position at all levels in Nigeria, and rather than being discouraged, they ought to be supported to realize their ambition, for our society stands to gain many benefits from such women.

My dear sister, Aishatu, on behalf of all Nigerian women, I assure you of our unalloyed support, and the mobilization of all our goodwill not only to ensure your victory at the polls, come February, 2023, but for you to go ahead to have a successful and impactful tenure as the first elected Female Governor of Adamawa State.