From Cyril Mbah, Abuja
The Patron of Women’s Leadership Network, Prof. Martina Yilwatda has urged women across the country to stand solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ensure his victory in the 2027 presidential poll.
Prof. Yilwatda, who made the request while addressing hundreds of women support groups in Jos after the burial of her mother-in-law, Mama Nana Lydia Yilwatda, assured that the well-being and interests of women would be properly addressed under President Tinubu’s administration.
Martina said it is incumbent on women across the country to support President Tinubu, who would not hesitate to assent to the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, which proposes the creation of additional seats exclusively for women in both the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.
She noted that “the bill specifically calls for 37 new Senate seats—one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory—and 37 additional House of Representatives seats.
“A vote for the APC is a vote for progress, advancement of women, and sustainable growth and development of Nigeria. To my fellow women, this is our government. President Tinubu is all that we need for all the good things we are yearning to have,” she said.
Prof. Yilwatda expressed gratitude to women from all walks of life who were in Jos to commiserate with her family over the demise of her mother in-law pledging to work in concert with her husband to ensure the empowerment of women in the country.
The Women’s Leadership Network National Coordinator, Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, who described Prof. Martina as a wonderful woman, explained that the outfit is made up of women well grounded in various professions across the globe irrespective of party affiliations.
She reiterated the group’s resolve to ensure the passage of the special seats bill by the National Assembly.
She asserted that “This group was one of the many groups that joined other women to emphasize the need for reserve seats for women. The good news about it is that this has gotten very massive support.
“It’s been sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, the Speaker, the Senate President, the APC chairman and our President are all behind it because they are in support of gender inclusivity. If this bill is given to women, and is signed into law by our President, our party will be the greatest beneficiary.”
Other Women’s Leadership Network stalwarts such as Deborah J.H Oriaku and Princess Nikky Onyeri, from the Association of Women Traditional Title Holders in Nigeria, described both the President and the APC National Chairman as gender friendly leaders that would live up to the expectations of Nigerian women.
