…It isn’t just the wives but females revolt. It begins with the Minister of Women Affairs, a revolution, call all women groups must answer to victory – Christiana Leo
Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has faulted the judgment of the Federal High Court nullifying the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Adamawa State.
Speaking to journalists at the sidelines of the first Global Reunion and yearly meeting of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Bida Old Girls Association, in Abuja, at the weekend, the minister lamented the number of female candidates contesting the 2023 general election, which she described as low.
According to Tallen, the ruling that sacked Aishatu Binani, the only female governorship candidate in the country is a ‘kangaroo’ judgment that should be rejected by well-meaning Nigerians.
Binani was elected on May 26 as the APC governorship candidate in the now-nullified primary. She scored 430 votes to defeat her closest rival, Nuhu Ribadu, who polled 288.
After the primary, Ribadu approached the court alleging irregularities in the exercise. In his judgment, the trial judge, Abdulaziz Anka, held that the primary was not in compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act, the nation’s constitution, and the party’s guidelines.
Saying the ruling showed the continued marginalisation of women in politics, the minister added that women were not fairly treated during the primaries conducted by political parties to produce candidates for the 2023 poll.
Tallen said: “It is very worrisome. I feel like shading tears. My heart is broken because all the political parties have not done well to women. The court is declaring that the party has no candidate. This is unacceptable. It is like a kangaroo judgment, but we will not give up.
“We are resilient and fully behind her (Binani). We will stand tall and strong to support any woman that has gone that far to occupy a seat that will bring meaningful development in our dear country.”
While urging stakeholders to ensure that no child was left behind without quality education, she called for robust investment in the education of girls.
Commenting, a participant at the occasion, Mrs Christiana Leo said, there’s talent keying to Tallen’s call. “It isn’t just the wives but females revolt. It begins with the Minister of Women Affairs, a revolution call, all women groups must answer to victory”.