Nigeria At 61: Abiola Tasks FG on Women’s Affirmative Action

By Olawale Ajimotokan

The Founder of Akasooba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR) and the Akasoba of Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, Queen Zainab Abiola, has hailed Nigerian women for actively participating in the struggle for Nigerian independence.

She made the commendation at an international luncheon for women groups in Abuja as part of the activities organised by the centre to mark Nigerian 61st independence anniversary.

Abiola recalled that as a delegate at the pre-Independence Constitutional Conference, great women, including villagers, championed the social, economic and political emancipation of women, while Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, as a women rights activist and social mobiliser, organised women beyond ethic boundaries to push for the rights of women during the colonial era.

Queen Abiola, the widow of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, said Queen Sambasa of Bonny, Hajia Gambo Sawaba, and another nationalist, Madam Tinubu, all fought against child labour and pushed for the political emancipation of women in Nigeria.

According to her, “So many great Nigerian women were trail-blazers who were very active and supportive in pre and post-independence struggle of Nigeria.

“It may interest you to know that the first three authentic women who came out boldly to fully participate in the option A4 democratic elections under the General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime were Tokunbo Awolowo, representing the West, Hannatu Chollom representing the North, and Queen Zainab Abiola representing the South-south and eastern Nigeria. These three women won the elections, and Babangida annulled it in 1991.

“The Aba Women riot of 1929 which opposed the unfair treatment of women was a landmark in Nigeria’s political history.”

She proposed that as a mark of honour for the amazons, who fought for independence, there should be a legislation on affirmative action to ensure that a reasonable percentage of all political offices is reserved for women.

“In order to honour the amazons of our pre and post-independence struggle, I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to push for legislation on affirmative action to ensure a more inclusive and tangible participation of women in our nascent democracy. This should also be extended to cabinet positions in any government that will be elected henceforth in Nigeria,” she said.