by Julius Alaseigha
You do not take a person who, for years, has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, bring him up to the starting line of a race and say, ‘you are free to compete with all the others’, and still justly believe that you have been completely fair. We seek not …just equality as a right and a theory but equality as a fact and equality as a result.’’ (President Lyndon Johnson in a 1965 speech ‘To Fulfil These Rights’ at Howard University June 4, 1965).
These were the opening remarks of the handout on Affirmative Action given APC Senators-elect during their retreat on May 23rd at Ibeto Hotel during a presentation.
I listened with keen interest as the Distinguished Senators-elect interacted and made it clear that it was indeed time to throw full weight behind what is right. Not only was the time Now, it was also the time for change and what is right was referred to as, ‘Affirmative Action’.
Affirmative Action can be defined as a temporary special measure that a public or private entity takes to increase, enhance or achieve a balance in the inclusion, participation, representation of any previously excluded and disadvantaged sections of the society.
Affirmative Action (AA) can be in the form of positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, business and politics for which they have been historically excluded.
On page 42, section 3.3, the APC’s manifesto promises ‘’A fair deal for women and youths’’. Specifically, the last item on the APC’s commonsense approach states: ‘Guarantee women and youths’ participation in governance.
The current tussle for the leadership of the senate includes Binta Masi Garba, the only female senator-elect from the 19 Northern states and who hails from the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. She contested, won and served three terms in the House of Representatives under two different parties (All Nigeria Peoples Party-ANPP and Peoples Democratic Party- PDP) in two different states (Kaduna and Adamawa) making her the first and only legislator to do so in Nigeria.
She has held and chaired several committees whilst in the house including: Infrastructure Development Committee on Appropriations, Child Development, Anti- Corruption Ethics and National Value, Inter- Parliamentary relations, Committee on Women Affairs.
Amazingly, she was also the Vice President Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (African Region) etc.
She is a proven and tested public officer of high integrity with numerous awards to her name including: Dame Publication- Nigerian Women Award (Role Model), Jaycees International –(Young Persons Role Award), Action Aid- (Outstanding Role Model) -for Contribution to Girls Education in Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Students Directorate of Gender Affairs- induction into the Gender Hall of Fame.
In recognition of her sterling leadership qualities she was recently unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adamawa State Chapter on the 30th day of April 2014, a position she holds to date.
With this appointment she became the first female chairperson of a Political Party in Nigeria.
I begin to wonder whether she has to make a trip to the moon and back or perhaps trek from Yola to the Three-Arms-Zone before the APC will recognize the gem that she is.
The APC has boasted about change and the Nigerian masses, especially youths are all watching to see what unfolds. A website has already been launched to monitor the daily activities of President Muhammed Buhari and more handles on the social media are gradually becoming self-anointed society watchdogs.
It is a litmus test for the leadership of the APC. One false move and the records begin to tick.
Quite frankly, despite the rights outlined in our constitution, many women do not enjoy the same participation as men, particularly in the fields of education, economic empowerment and political participation.
Let us end all forms of gender discrimination and give women a chance. After all, 65% of those who voted President Buhari were women.
Our mothers, sisters and daughters usually constitute the majority in any campaign rally and gathering. Did the APC use and dump women?
There is no better time to prove or practice what you preach than now. Take Nigeria to the next level. Prove to the world that the APC represents change indeed and that women too can lead.
Julius Alaseigha is a new media addict and multipreneur who lives and works in Abuja. He tweets from @alasia567.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
