Buhari Should Learn From How Jonathan Empower Women — Bucknor - Akerele

Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the only female senator in the botched Third Republic, Senator Louisa Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele is not happy with the state of affairs in the country and wants President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to unveil their roadmap for addressing the numerous socio-economic and political challenges the country is facing.

In this interview, By Clifford Ndujihe, she also spoke among others on why the report of the 2014 National Conference must be implemented and how the flickering flames of insecurity could be extinguished.

Looking at affirmative action, how would you assess President Buhari on appointment of women into positions?

That was where the Jonathan’s Administration was much better 'Affirmative action'.

Jonathan tried to effect the 30 per cent Affirmative Action, which was decided in Beijing and which the United Nations is also supporting. Nigeria is the largest country in Africa but small countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi are doing much better than us when it comes to affirmative action. What is holding us back?

I believe what is holding us back is mostly the men in Nigeria, who do not want to give space to females. And yet they seem to forget that women form 50 per cent if not more of the population.

You were in the Alliance for Democracy (AD), went to All Peoples Party Party (APP), later National Democratic Party (NDP), United Nigeria Peoples Party, UNPP and now PDP. Where are you headed next?

I have been in the PDP since 2002. I am not moving anywhere else. Then, I was looking for a platform, I am not looking for a platform now. I am an elder stateswoman, I want to work for the betterment of Nigeria. I will do it better remaining in PDP.

If you look at the parties, PDP is the best. The APC is an amalgamation of strange parties, that is why they are having problems. Buhari is from the CPC (Congress for Progressive Change), he came to fight corruption.

What about President Buhari’s fight against corruption?

The fight against corruption, as far as I can see, is selective. If the president wants us to take him seriously, he should start with those people around him because those around him in the APC that brought him to power are among some of the most corrupt people in this country and everybody knows that.

Why is it only PDP members that he is bringing to trial? Why doesn’t he try those around him who are corrupt? It is only then that we can take him seriously that he is fighting corruption and not being vindictive.

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