Calls for participation of more women in politics

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA — The Department for International Development, DFID, Nigeria, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari  to ensure prompt fulfilment of the promises he made to Nigerians during his electioneering campaigns.

DFID, a department of the government of the United Kingdom, is responsible for administering overseas aid, however noted  that Nigerians expect too much from the new administration.

Speaking at a pre-inaugural retreat for newly elected members of the National Assembly organised by Policy and Legal Advocacy  Centre, PLAC, in conjunction with Senators Forum, head of DFID in Nigeria, Mr. Ben Mellor, insisted that the eyes of the world are currently focused on Nigeria.

More women in politics

While imploring Buhari to encourage the participation of more women in his administration, Mellor observed that whereas there are 29 per cent of women currently in the UK  parliament, he decried that only four per cent of the new members of the House of Representatives in Nigeria are women, with seven percent  of them in the Senate.

He said: “Getting more women into politics should also be a priority for Nigeria.  The cameras of the world are on Nigeria at this critical time.”

Responsive and accountable govt

Meanwhile, DFID yesterday urged the new lawmakers to champion the struggle for a more  responsive and accountable government in the country.

The federal lawmakers were further charged to play individual and collective roles towards putting the administration of President Buhari on check at all times.

Though Mellor lauded the outgoing lawmakers for their successful passage of key legislations like the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill and the Pension Reform Bill, which he said would greatly improve the welfare of Nigerians, he maintained that there are still many areas yearning for legislative attention.

“It is very disappointing that there are still hundreds of Bills awaiting second reading at both the Senate and the House, that is an area of improvement  for the country to move forward,” Mellor said.

He tasked the new lawmakers to mount serious checks and balances on the executive arm of the government, saying the country deserves “a more purposeful, inclusive and responsive legislative organ.”

Earlier in his welcome remark, Executive Director of PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, said the retreat was aimed at helping the new lawmakers to fully understand the importance of effective legislation for nation-building.

The retreat which had the theme, ‘Building Synergy with CSOs, Media and Constituents’, was chaired by the Chairman of Senators Forum, Senator Khairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe.