Kukah backs 30% appointment for women, oppose engagement of politicians’ wife, mistresses

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has said competence should be the yardstick for 30 per cent political appointment for women.

The cleric added that the appointments should not be for wives of politicians who already hold public offices.

He said this during his keynote speech at the Parents Summit organised by the Edo State Government as part of activities to mark the 2023 Education Week in the state.

He said, “I am fully in support of women getting 30 per cent of power in Nigeria but it cannot be the same women whose husbands are already holding power in Abuja and across the country.

“It is nothing personal. These politicians should not bring their wives, mistresses and daughters to become ministers and senators. If you are going to do 30 per cent, it must go to women who represent the common people.”

He lauded the efforts of Governor Godwin Godwin Obaseki on repositioning the education sector.

The cleric decried the insecurity in the country, saying education remained the cure for terrorism and banditry.

He added, “As we can see, our country is now being ravaged and threatened by the forces of darkness, those who have said no to humanity and those who have said no to education, manifest themselves in the murderous and destructive excesses of Boko Haram or banditry.

“Not only have they destroyed the image of the country, they have destroyed the image of religion. They have made us victims and suspects. So, really, no distance is too much for me to cover when it comes to education.”

He said the country should fight with everything it takes because Nigeria would have no future without resisting such evil forces.

Earlier, Obaseki called for the sustenance of the reforms he had initiated in the education sector after leaving office.

“By the grace of God, I will finish on November 11, 2024, but EDOBEST will not come to an end,” he added.

PUNCH