President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha Buhari has admonished her fellow women to adopt the spirit of unity ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The First Lady gave the advisory on Monday while playing host to Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor.
The VP had visited Nigeria to take part in the maiden edition of the APC National Progressive Women Conference.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Buhari enjoined APC members across borders to all adopt new strategies to ensure more women participate in decision-making.
She stressed that the oneness of the women would help them to make a stronger impact in the electoral process.
Nigeria’s first lady also urged stakeholders to support the gender towards realising their demand for increased participation in politics. She said: “Women need to be encouraged to participate more in politics and the country needs our participation.
“It is necessary to look forward to how best we can work together to unite women in the forthcoming campaigns ahead of 2023 elections.”
Commending Howard-Taylor’s presence at the event, Mrs Buhari said the VP’s words would boost the morale of women participating at the conference.
“I am convinced that your record as a former Liberian First Lady and a professional in politics will add value to the event,’’ Aisha added.
Meanwhile, female presidential candidate, Khadija Okunnu-Lamidi, has stated that she would run for the presidency in 2023 despite the respect she has for the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
Okunnu-Lamidi while giving her reason said Nigerians clamour for a young person with a vibrancy to lead the country out of its challenges is her drive.
The aspirant stated this as she disclosed that she is “somehow related” to the former Governor of Lagos State.
Okunnu-Lamidi while speaking with BBC pidgin said, “He’s the national leader of the APC; he has contributed to national politics and I have great respect for him. But that doesn’t change the fact that Nigerians are looking for a young person with vibrancy. Nigerians are looking for a way out of poverty, they want 24 hours electricity supply, good health care and good roads which are what I’m here to provide.”
The presidential aspirant when asked if she has political experience, said, “Many people will say they have never heard of my name but I’ve been in politics for at least 20 years learning. Many people do declare their political ambition before they are ready, which is quite a problem. I’ve learnt the work and seen how others do it, which I don’t find satisfying, it gives me a stomach ache.
Okunnu-Lamidi when asked when she decided to contest for the presidency said, “It was shortly after the EndSARS protests in October 2020.”
