Wife of the president, Aisha Buhari at the weekend met with presidential aspirants drawn from all political parties and enjoined them to pick women as their running mates in the forthcoming 2023 presidential poll.
Mrs. Buhari made the plea when he hosted the aspirants to Iftar (breaking of fast) at the State House, Abuja.
She urged political parties to reserve certain percentage of contestable offices for women.
Considering the voting strength and involvement of women in politics, she said they should be adopted as running mates in the forthcoming elections.
“In fact, it is high time women were adopted as running mates at all levels, considering their voting strength and active involvement in political processes.
“As we approach the 2023 elections with greater hope, I am confident that Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength on the pedestal of our democratic tenets,” she added.
Mrs. Buhari also encouraged the aspirants to ensure that the forthcoming elections are fair and free.
According to her, the 2015 presidential election, which her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, won “was neither contested in the court of law, nor in the court of public opinion.
“Therefore, the greatest end-of-tenure gift that fellow Nigerians can give to the first family is another free and globally-acknowledged fair election come 2023,″ she said.
In their goodwill messages, the aspirants urged politicians to avoid politics of acrimony, but rather remember that they do not have any other nation outside Nigeria, even as they called on aspirants to be courageous enough to accept defeat, while also being magnanimous in victory.
The vice president and aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the former governor of Edo state, Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, also described the gathering as, “symbolic” for creating unity, urging all the aspirants to always strive to foster unity amongst Nigerians to contribute towards building the nation.
“The aspirants should learn to practice politics without bitterness and imbibe the spirit of oneness. It is not going to be a do or die affair and it should not be,” he said.
For his part, the minister of labour and employment, Dr. Chris Ngige (APC aspirant), called for unity among aspirants, adding that, “If anybody tells you that the way we are playing politics now is the best, it is not true. We have to do a rethink. We need unity, God knows who will take it”.
Also speaking, the governor of Bauchi state Bala Mohammed (Peoples Democratic Party , PDP, aspirant), described the gathering as historic, saying it was only the First Lady, “that could bring me here today.”
He commended Mrs. Buhari for her motherly roles in uniting Nigerians, adding that “being patient has made you to stand out.”
“I am not saying I am the best, as some of the best are yet to come out. I assure you that I will make sure that we do our game of politicking putting Nigeria first,” he said.
In his remarks, the governor of Ebonyi State and APC aspirant, Mr. Dave Umahi, commended the First Lady for the well thought out programme that attracted people of diverse political backgrounds.
“It should be all about our nation and patriotism. We should put our nation above ourselves. This kind of gathering is going to douse hate speeches. We have to have Nigeria first. This will foster greater unity and put Nigeria first,” he added.
Another presidential aspirant, Tein Jack-Rich, urged the young people to join politics to turn around situations “that have held the nation captive, so that we can become voice for the voice less.”
“The destiny of Nigeria is in the hands of all Nigerians, but everything you do is in the hands of future Nigerians.
“The youths will not be used this time around to snatch ballot boxes this time. If anybody wants to win elections, you have got to come to the youth,” he said.
Also speaking, wife of the vice president, Dolapo Osinbajo, described the gathering as another opportunity by the First Lady to display her motherly love and engender peaceful electioneering process ahead of the 2023 general elections
“We are witness to your exemplary conduct, your large heart and endless display of love for mankind. We see you today, we see your love and like a mother, you have left no one behind. Nigerians are proud of you, the women are proud of you,” she said.
