Group Urges APC To Replace Gbajabiamila With Woman
By Saheed Afolabi
A women’s rights group, Women Supporting Women For Greater Heights, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State chapter to allow a woman to replace the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, whose position in the House has become vacant following his appointment as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Gbajabiamila represented Surulere Constituency I.
The group, led by Mrs. Bolanle Oyeyemi made the pronouncement in Lagos on Thursday.
Oyeyemi said the replacement became necessary following the appointment of Gbajabiamila, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
She expressed belief in the policy of APC as a party that craves women’s inclusion in politics.
She said the group has nominated Hon. Jamila Mu’azu-Olukosi as a replacement for the House of Representatives member for Surulere Federal Constituency I.
“This is coming at the heels of a purported publication by some faceless individuals claiming that one Hon. Fuad Laguda, currently the APC chairman of Surulere Local Government Area, has been unanimously anointed to replace the former speaker.
“Mu’azu-Olukosi has contested four times, paid for the nomination forms, mobilised people massively, but was told to step down and she did because she believes in the party supremacy.
“Muazu-Onikosi, asides from being a dedicated card-carrying member of APC Lagos State, has empowered many people in her constituency.
“Now that there is an opening, they should consider her interest and unwavering support for the party,” she said.
According to her, the nomination of a female representative is an opportunity for the party to promote women’s inclusiveness and affirmation as promised by President Tinubu during the general elections.
Oyeyemi said the choice of a woman would also discourage an alleged cabal of men making a mockery of democracy, by denying women who are eager to make the desired change and needed developmental political inclusions in the nation.
She charged the president and other eminent leaders of the party to wade into the matter to ensure that the 35 percent affirmative for women inclusion pledged by Tinubu is fulfilled.
