APC Women Critique Tinubu’s Male-Dominated Appointments in Humanitarian Affairs

The Women and Youth Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed discontent over the recent nomination of two male leaders to key positions within the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

During a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, members carried placards showcasing messages like “Men Are Not Compassionate Enough To Run the Humanitarian Ministry,” and “We Say No To Women Discrimination.”

Jennifer Raymond, the convener, emphasized that appointing two male candidates, Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Chief Ayuba Gufwan as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for People Living with Disabilities, both from Plateau State, violates the federal character principle aimed at equitable representation among Nigeria’s regions.

The group urged President Bola Tinubu to rethink these appointments, advocating for a more inclusive selection process that ensures gender balance. They highlighted that humanitarian issues disproportionately affect women and children, and the lack of female representation in leadership roles could hinder effective responses.

“Gender-diverse leadership has been shown to lead to better outcomes in crisis situations,” Raymond stated, calling for a competent woman with a proven track record in humanitarian initiatives to be appointed to a crucial position within the ministry.

The women’s council advocates that acknowledging Nigeria’s demographic diversity, especially in terms of gender representation, is vital for effective humanitarian responses and for enhancing the ministry’s overall impact on Nigerian society.