The assertion by an unrecognised presidential aide that President Muhammadu Buhari is shy around women has again captivated the imaginations of Nigerians on the persona of the president.
Though presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina was quick to disown the supposed aide, and also deny his claim, the issue has refused to die.
However, the facts speak for itself on the issue.
Against the estimated 31% involvement of women at the onset of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2011, President Buhari on his part, has started his course with what many are protesting as a miserly 17%. Even worse, the incumbent has proved even more restrained in appointing women into other executive positions.
Erstwhile minister in the Jonathan regime and National Women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mrs. Josephine Anenih says
“It really rankles me when Nigerians trivialise important national issues just to divert attention to them.
The main issue in the conversation about political appointments by the President is that it looks like he is not paying enough attention to ensuring adequate percentage of female representation in government. 16% is still a far cry from 35% in the National Gender Policy or the 50% of the SDGs.
“If President Buhari does not like women he would not be the happily married man that he is, and a proud and doting father to his daughters. He is also not a shy man in the presence of women. Women groups who have had audience with him will testify that he is a very amiable man and an interesting conversationalist.
“He is looking for qualified women and he will find them because they abound in Nigeria.
We will not let him forget his promise to do good to all people.
We will continue to remind him and allow him to take his time to find the women who are really every where. He does not hate women, he is not shy in the presence of women, he likes working with women and he will work with women to achieve his set goals.”
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