Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s time as a military leader didn’t favour the women folk in politics.
But the 72 year old retired general can’t be blamed because the military era did not really make a clear provision for female participation in governance.
Below is a list of Buhari’s ministerial appointees as a military ruler:
Chief of Staff :Tunde Idiagbon 1984–1985
Defense: Domkat Bali 1984–1985
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Agriculture : Bukar Shuaib 1984–1985
Trade : Mahmud Tukur 1984–1985
Communications: A Abdullahi, Lt Col 1984–1985
Education: Yarima Ibrahim 1984–1985
Finance : Onaolapo Soleye 1984–1985
Abuja: Mamman Jiya Vatsa 1984–1985
Health: Emmanuel Nsan 1984–1985
Internal Affairs : Mohammed Magoro 1984–1985
Foreign Affairs : Ibrahim Gambari 1984–1985
Minister of Information : Sam Omeruah 1984–1985
Transportation: Abdullahi Ibrahim 1984–1985
Energy : Tam David-West 1984–1985
Justice: Chike Offodile 1984–1985
Works: Patrick Koshoni 1984–1985
The above lists shows Buhari never appointed a woman as a minister.
The present administration has done well in appointing many women to help run the government. To top it all, the women in the present cabinet are not just onlookers, but they are given key portfolios in the government.
For instance, the most important minister in the cabinet is Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is not only the coordinating minister of the economy, but also the minister of finance, minister of petroluem, Mrs. Dieziani Allison Madueke, minister of petroleum, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki, minister of Information, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, minister of communication among others.
Will Buhari give women a chance? Time will tell if the retired military ruler has embraced democratic tenets that will give room for female participation in his government.
Fortunately the All Progressive Congress (APC) has qualified women such as Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ms. Sharon Ikeazor, Mrs Kemi Nelson, and Mrs Maryam Uwais in it’s ranks to fill Buhari’s cabinet.
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