By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerians not to pity him as the man in the helm of affairs, saying he campaigned, sang and danced for it. The president who spoke against predictable challenges ahead of him, always had some influential women on the campaign trail singing and dancing along with him.
During his first foreign trip to the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, from June 22-23, 2023, where he met with some Nigerians resident in that country, he assured that women will form part of his cabinet.
As the political landscape in Nigeria takes shape, Daily Sun reflects on the growing influence of women in Nigerian politics. These accomplished women played significant roles in the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team, showcasing their commitment and dedication to Tinubu’s cause. With their track records of excellence, it will be no surprise if they are appointed to occupy prominent positions in the new government.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has long been associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC). She served as the Director of Protocol and Event (South) for the APC Presidential Campaign Council and was a member of the Media and Communication Committee of the TinubuShettima Women Presidential Campaign Team. Known for her exceptional public speaking skills, Abike was a constant presence at rallies across multiple states, masterfully emceeing and rallying support for Tinubu. Her tenure at the Nigerian Diaspora Commission was recently renewed by President Muhammadu Buhari, indicating the possibility of her retention in Tinubu’s government.
Olu A. Verheijen: Olu is one of the frontline strategy team of the president during the campaign. She was recently announced as the Special Adviser on Energy to President Tinubu. That is not surprising as she was on national television discussing Tinubu’s manifesto with particular interest in the energy sector. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the gas and renewable sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ajoke Silva: Renowned Nollywood actress Joke Silva, also known as Ajoke Silver, chaired the Creative and Entertainment Committee of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team. Leveraging her vast experience and influence in the entertainment industry, Silva mobilised her constituency to throw their support behind Tinubu’s presidential bid. However, she faced backlash for her decision from some of her fans, resulting in a week of intense criticism. Despite the controversy, Silva’s commitment to the cause remains unwavering.
Mary Ikoku
In the South East region, Mary Ikoku emerges as a potential candidate for a key position in Tinubu’s government. The Senior Policy Development and Strategic Communication Expert was the Pioneer Head of Communication for Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. Before then, she had served as Special Adviser (Media) to Prof. Dora Akunyili (late) and Senior Communications Advisor to Dr. Okonjo Iweala on Graduate Internship Scheme as well as Senior Communication Advisor, Bureau of Public Service Reforms before joining the 3rd sector where she devotes her time advocating good governance and the rights of women and youth.
Mary held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Media and Communication Committee in the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team. Her primary responsibility was to ensure effective communication and media coverage of the women’s presidential zonal campaigns. Furthermore, she served as the Assistant Director of Protocol and Event (South) for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, demonstrating her adeptness at managing protocols and coordinating rallies and town halls in over 25 states across Nigeria.
Ikoku’s influence extended beyond the campaign team as she led the City Boy Movement as the Abia State Coordinator. Her leadership was instrumental in mobilizing election champions across all 17 local government areas of Abia State, ensuring the recruitment of canvassers and voters throughout the region. Additionally, she served as a national delegate during the APC National Convention and Presidential Primaries, where she cast her vote in favour of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Furthermore, Ikoku aspired to represent Arochukwu-Ohafia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. She has been a strong and consistent voice on national television defending the president’s mandate.
Senator Margery Okadigbo
The widow of the former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, was the Anambra campaign coordinator for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign team. Though campaigning in the home state of the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, Okadigbo was very visible on the campaign trail working to sell the candidacy of Tinubu/Shettima to the the people of Anambra State.
A politician with a rich resume as a lawyer and training from some well known institutions around the world such as University of Nigeria, George Washington University, Harvard University, Georgetown University and University of Chicago, Okadigbo served as the Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Limited) under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and is currently principal Partner of Margery C. Okadigbo & Associates.. She represented Anambra North senatorial District from 2011- 2015 on the platform of the PDP before defecting to the APC.
Uju Kennedy Ohanenye
Uju Kennedy Ohanenye was a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC and stepped down for Tinubu on the day of the primary. She thereafter became Vice Chairman of the APC Presidential campaign council for the Southeast. Uju is a lawyer, entrepreneur and filmmaker.
Princess Gloria Akobundu
Princess Akobundu was one of the South Eastern women who worked in the presidential campaign of Tinubu/Shettima. The Imo State leader is the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer – New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD where she has shown great leadership and commitment in eradicating poverty in Africa.
Hon. Ginika Florence Tor- Ijeomah
Ginika Florence Tor-Ijeomah is a native of Amoli Enyinmba Community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Mbalom, Gwer East Local Gov. Area of Benue State by virtue of marriage. She is currently the Honourable Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the Federal Character Commission. She was inaugurated on the 2nd of July 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ginika has undoubtedly and conspicuously contributed to the promotion of APC in Nigeria with huge demonstration of competence, reliability, credibility and capacity. She emerged bold to support APC Presidential Candidates, even when it seemed dangerous; she is the President of Omaluegwuoku Progressive Initiative and Convener of Igbo Kwenu 4 Asiwaju-Shettima.
Omaluegwuoku Progressive Initiative is an Igbo-oriented socio-cultural group that supports good governance, re-awakening the political consciousness of ndigbo at home and in the diaspora, building synergies amongst the Igbo in commerce and business, as well as sustaining their participation and inclusion in socio-political activities in Nigeria and in the diaspora. The group toured the six geopolitical zones for a pre-campaign sensitization programme, speaking to the Igbo Communities as well as participated in the presidential campaign tours in the 36 states of the federation and FCT.
She has served at different times in the party activities such as member committee of APC state congress at Kebbi State, Kano State, Bi-Election at Kogi State, FCT Area Council Election 2022, Secretary of Contact and Mobilization Committee of the first ever APC Women Conference 2022, Secretary APC National Convention Committee for Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities. She was also Committee member, Screening Committee of Aspirants of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Committee member, Committees for Gubernatorial and Senatorial Primaries 2022, Lagos State, Member Youth Mobilization (South East) PCC and Deputy National Coordinator South, Special Duties/Social Project Committee, ICC to mention a few.
Tor-Ijeomah was also recently among very few recognized heroes of democracy appointed to serve as member in the Presidential Inaugural Ball that held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa on the 29th of May, 2023, after the successful and peaceful swearing in of the President and Vice President.
She is result-driven, assertive, tenacious, articulate, progressive, competent, deserving and most importantly God fearing. She is qualified for a ministerial position, Director General or Chief Executive of an agency where she will have the opportunity to contribute her quota to the betterment of the country.
Hon. Jennifer Oguzie
Hon. Jennifer Oguzie was Senior Legislative Aide to former Deputy Senate President. Jennifer’s support for the Tinubu/Shettima election was monumental. She served as the Secretary, Operations and Logistics of the TinubuShettima Women Presidential Campaign Team (WPCC) as well as Member, Logistics & Support Services of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). She also played a key role as Vice Chairman, Sub-Committee Monitoring and Implementation for the South East Regional Campaign Rally for the President and his vice. She is among the women expected to be seen in Tinubu’s government
Betta Edu
Betta C. Edu was born in October 27,1986. This medical doctor and former commissioner for health in Cross River State was both the face of youth and women. Edu traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria for the Tinubu/Shettima campaign and in the process showed that she was all beauty and brains. Elected National Women Leader of the ruling APC in 2022, in March 2022, she is seen as a potential player in the next administration. She graduated from the University of Calabar and is a Physician and Public Health Specialist, member of the Presidential Health Reform Committee and also of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Reconciliation Committee. In May 2016, she was appointed pioneer DG of Cross River State Primary Health Care Agency until 2019, when she was appointed Cross River State Commissioner for Health.
Mary Ekpere-Eta
She is a Nigerian lawyer and activist. Ekpere-Eta was former Director General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) in Abuja. Eta is a farmer, and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. In 2012, she made a bid to become Governor of Cross River State. She is a representative of South-South women on the board of trustees of the All Progressives Congress (APC). President Buhari appointed Ekpere-Eta as Director General of NCWD in April 2017. She was the opponent of the present national women leader, Betta Edu. Mary was among the very visible women in Tinubu’s run for office.
Stella Okotete
Stella Okotete is the immediate past National Women Leader of the APC as well as Member, All Progressives Congress caretaker extraordinary convention planning committee. She was the Secretary, election planning and monitoring of the presidential campaign council of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as Secretary, Planning and Monitoring of the Presidential Inauguration Committee.
Okotete who is an executive director of NEXIM, is considered a very influential voice for the election of Tinubu/Shettima and a potential appointee of Tinubu. She is a graduate of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy. She also holds a Diploma in Law from the Rivers State College of Arts and Sciences, a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Julie Donli Okah
Julie Okah was the Deputy director, South- south Humanitarian committee of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council. A task she delivered so well. She went beyond call of duty to ensure proper organization and supervision of the campaigns in her states. She also followed the campaign trail beyond her own state. This former NAPTIP Director General was part of the many meetings in her state to strategize on the best way to get everyone to vote, especially the beneficiaries of the government’s SIP programmes. She is equally qualified to be among women in Tinubu’s government.
Hanatu Musawa
Hanatu Musa, a lawyer and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was the deputy spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. She worked hand in hand with Festus Keyamo and others on the media team to portray the Tinubu candidacy in good light. She was also a member of the Presidential Inauguration Committee, and part of those who organized the President’s Post Inaugural Ball.
Hannatu is considered a triple asset to the campaign and the Tinubu/Shettima team – brains, beauty and activism. She attended the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom from where she graduated with a degree in law. Hannatu also holds a Masters Degree in the Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs and another from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland where she obtained a Postgraduate Masters Degree in Oil and Gas Law. She is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, ‘who has had a varied and rich working experience including working as a Litigation lawyer and legal advisor to private Companies and Federal Government of Nigeria’.
She is also a human and women’s rights activist who has ‘dedicated a department in her law firm just for Pro Bono legal assistance and representation to women who are victims of violence and abuse of every kind including victims of rape,’ according to her biography. A politician since 2003, she contested for the position of a member of the House of Representatives in Katsina State of Nigeria in 2011.
The columnist, women and children advocate is expected to be part of Tinubu’s cabinet.
Hadiza Bala Usman
Hadiza Bala Usman, a former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, also served as the chief of staff to the governor of Kaduna State. She also served as the deputy director-general (administration) of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. The graduate of Business Administration and Development Studies was recently appointed special adviser on policy coordination.
Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim
Haj. Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim was the Taraba State Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team. In this role, she traversed the length and breath of the country, canvassing for votes for the president. She held town halls, distributed a lot of palliatives during the flood season on behalf of the candidate’s wives. Born into the famous family of Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Sarki Ayyuka, a second republic political icon in the old Gongola state, present day Taraba State. A sister to another iconic political Juggernaut, popularly known as Mama Taraba, Haj. Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim’s political pedigree and commitment/devotion towards the APC, earned her the Deputy National Women Leader during the 27th March 2022 APC National Convention election. Her emergence as Deputy National Women Leader did not come to keen political observers and stakeholders as a surprise.
Riding on the crest of a well-engineered political structure as represented by her family, Dr Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim has obviously carved out a niche for herself which will continue to resonate within the entire political spectrum and given her youthful age, robust resume, intelligence, reach, experience and exposure, she is well prepared for higher responsibilities.
Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim
Hon. Imaan will bring a massive wealth of experience to Tinubu’s cabinet if appointed. She served as the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission For Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons Office. In this role, she changed the face of the commission and restored the confidence of Nigerians and the developmental partners in the commission. She successfully placed Nigeria on a vantage position when matters of migration and resettlement of persons of concerns are discussed.
Imaan was quite visible in the TinubuShettima presidential campaign. She deployed a lot of strategic activities to assure the visibility of the president and the first lady, particularly in the minds of party members who worked tirelessly for the campaign. She campaigned vigorously for TinubuShettima.
Imaan is no stranger to politics as she was a special adviser on strategic communication to the minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and she was appointed a member of the Nasarawa State economic advisory council by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Abubakar Sule in September 2019. She was also the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for the duration of six months from December 2020 to May 2021. She is easily referenced for good works, commitment to making an impact on the lives and welfare of others. She has continued to use her skills, competencies, and talents to serve the nation, and this has earned her the title, ‘Mama Migrants and IDPs’
Asabe Vilita Bashir
She is a political activist from Borno State who currently heads the National Centre for Women Development as its Director General. As DG of NCWD, she has put in place a lot of reforms and critical infrastructural development. The center now wears a new look and there’ve been a great improvement in the revenue generation of the center.
Bashir was the Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team. She led the women in very strategic regional Rallies including town hall meetings in strategic states in the country. Vilita went beyond the call of duty to ensure that the women campaign achieved massive support especially in the area of providing succor to the flood victims and less privileged. She coordinated a great campaign team.
Bashir is a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Gwoza, Chibok and Damboa Federal Constituencies in Borno State. She was an active campaigner for the Tinubu campaign and is seen as a close loyalist of the VP- elect, Kashim Shettima.
Dayo Benjamin Laniyi
Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi popularly known as DBL is in a class of her own. As a media entrepreneur, she is often profiled as Nigeria’s No.1 Female Master of Ceremony. Her spontaneity of language and expository style of delivery have earned her the highest commendations in the industry and seen her host some of the most distinguished events in Africa and abroad. Dayo is a singular persona brand whose speakership extends to advocacy with youth, women, politics, the faith arena and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) initiatives.
She was a Senatorial aspirant for the FCT in the last elections. A die-hard member of APC, she is well loved amongst her contemporaries and has become a model mentor for aspiring young women who want to dominate their space, hence become a voice in whatever they do. Dayo was a member of the Protocol and Event North of the APC Presidential Campaign Council as well as a member of media and Communication Committee in the Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team. She was very committed to her roles in the two wings of the campaign. She was among the women who stood to be counted as they mobilised votes for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential election. The pretty woman is close to First Lady, Remi Tinubu, and she represented her at events during the campaigns. Dayo is among the women expected in Tinubu’s government.
Senator Binta Masi
Masi is a former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, who played an active role in the Tinubu/Shettima campaign.
She served in the House of Representatives three times, from 1999 to 2011. She is the first politician to represent two different Federal constituencies in 2009; she was elected as the first Vice President of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) under Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Cameroon. She was the only female Senator-elect in all the 19 Northern States of Nigeria in 2015 elections and was also the only female delegate from Adamawa State to the National Conference in Abuja.
She was appointed the Woman Leader of the PDP but later joined the APC alongside Governor Murtala Nyako and other governors. She contested and emerged as the chairman of the Adamawa State Chapter of APC. The victory at the poll made her the first female state chairman of a registered major political party in Nigeria.
The potential inclusion of these accomplished women in Tinubu’s government will solidify his commitment to gender inclusivity and recognize the invaluable contributions they have made to the political landscape in Nigeria. With their vast experience and expertise, these women are poised to make a lasting impact on Tinubu’s administration, fostering a more inclusive and progressive Nigeria if they are given a chance.