APC women leaders decry marginalization in FG’s N7.5bn empowerment programmes

The forum of All progressives Congress (APC) women leaders have decried the marginalization of their members in the sharing of N7.5 billion monies as palliatives to cushion the effect of hardship in the country.

The forum led by Ambassador Patricia Yakubu while on a solidarity visit to the national chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje claimed that none of their members across the country benefited from the monies distributed at the instance of the federal ministry of trade and investment.

Patricia who is the Adamawa women leader of the party claimed that they taken aback when they heard the news of how the ministry of trade and investment shared N50,000 to 150,000 in the country.

“We don’t know anything about that money. None of us from the 36 states and the FCT knew how the money was shared. We want you to discuss with them,” she told Ganduje at the occasion graced by members of the national working committee (NWC) of the party.

Patricia also alleged that none of their members have been carried along in the 373 empowerment items being embarked upon by the Federal ministry of Women Affairs.

The women leaders remarked that it’s unfortunate they have been sidelines in spite the sacrifices they made towards the victory of the party in the 2023 elections.

She added: “Here are a few of the situations that our women had to go through. The women slept on the grass in open spaces took a great risks at Women Development Center, Abuja and almost in every state during Electioneering Period to ensure victory.

“The house of one of us was demolished on the election day by the Opposition party in her state to distract her from canvassing votes for the party. The son of one of us was kidnapped a day to the presidential election

“Another woman was detained in the police station for 3 days on the election day. Then one of us was involved in a ghastly motor accident during the campaign, because they did not want to hear of APC in her community and is still in and out of the hospital.Many of us got their cars damaged and some completely lost their personal cars during the campaigns and today, they are not
mobile. Your Excellency, the women have not been compensated for all their pains and sacrifices, we are feeling neglected.”

They thereby pleaded with Ganduje to wade into the issue so as to encourage their participation and support towards strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 poll.

APC national women leader, Dr Mary Idele Alile who joined the women leaders in passing a vote of confidence on Ganduje canvased the need for more inclusivity and representation of women in the governance of the country.