Wives of federal lawmakers, under the aegis of the House of Representatives Members’ Spouses Association, on Tuesday endorsed the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The group, which was led by HORMSA president and wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Salamatu Gbajabiamila, gave the commitment when they paid a courtesy visit to the chairman of the APC women campaign team, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the campaign team on Tuesday.
The development is coming hours after Tinubu was welcomed by a mammoth crowd to his political rally in the ancient city of Kaduna.
In her address, Gbajabiamila explained that they are throwing their weight behind the former Lagos State governor because of he has a track record of supporting women and prioritising equitable representation.
She stated, “In 1999, when he became Lagos State governor, it was not the norm to carry women along so strongly, but Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not think that only men were capable of fixing Lagos. He recognised and demonstrated that women are not insignificant.
“With Asiwaju’s record, we have no doubt that women will be given more space to thrive if he is elected to office. Asiwaju believes in our capacity. He recognises our strengths and value. He knows democracy is incomplete if women are excluded.
“This is why we can rely on his promise to increase women’s participation to at least 35% of all government positions. If Asiwaju says he is promising that women will be adequately represented in government appointments, we believe him.”
Continuing, the speaker’s wife stated that a country like Nigeria requires a visionary and committed leader in the mould of Tinubu to revive its fortune.
She also expressed optimism that along with a running mate who also has experience in tackling insecurity in the North East, the APC candidate can return the country to its glory days.
“No nation is perfect and we can all agree that there are many challenges in Nigeria; this is why we need a visionary with a proven track record to elevate our nation. We have seen Asiwaju turn around a dwindling economy and a highly insecure Lagos into a thriving economy and a much more improved security scenario; a prosperous state that we can all appreciate.
“We have every reason to believe that if given the opportunity, Asiwaju and his able Vice-President, Distinguished Senator Kashim Shettima, can also contribute to improving Nigeria.
“Today, we have come to show our appreciation and pledge our support to the Tinubu/Shettima mission to bring renewed hope to Nigeria,” she said.
Reacting to the development, Tinubu’s wife appreciated the legislators’ wives for the show of solidarity.
She also applauded efforts by the administration of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to improve the welfare of officers serving in the Armed Forces, adding that her husband and his running mate will build on the positive developments recorded during the regime when elected.
“If the Tinubu/Shettima ticket is given this glorious opportunity, I think we will be able to see more of the foundation laid by the Buhari administration. There will be a lot of work, we need you all to continue to work and to help us with the door-to-door campaign,” she said.
The three-term Senator further encouraged the legislators’ wives to support their spouses’ political careers through various community and social development programmes ahead of the Yuletide season.
