A former Governor of Ekiti State and Minister-designate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has told of how his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, got him into trouble during his tour of duty in Ekiti State.
Fayemi spoke on Wednesday at a specialised session of the ongoing three-day Excellence in Leadership Conference of the Daystar Christian Centre in Oregun, Lagos State.
Fayemi said the decision of his wife to contribute to issues on politics and human rights in the government earned him the wrath of those who felt women should not be heard when it comes to issues of governance.
Speaking at the specialised session on Government, Fayemi said his wife is passionate about the twin issues of human rights and politics and served on policy committees in this regard.
At the session, which was attended by the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi, Fayemi said: “Some people felt she was too upfront and involved.
“Instead of the people to see it as the fact that they got two for the price of one, they did not like the idea.
“This got me into trouble.
“But her motive was that she wanted the society to improve.”
Fayemi, who also advocated for gender sensitivity in the political equation of Nigeria, said women, naturally, are disadvantaged when it comes to politics.
He said one of the issues discussed by the Policy Committee of the President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Council, which he headed, was that of gender balance, adding that conscious efforts must be made to carry women along.
He said when asked about gender representation in the Buhari government during a question and answer session after the presentation of his paper: “It is a no brainer.
“It is a valid argument for any underserved segment of the society to be given the opportunity.
“But this is not enough to pass a judgement on the number of appointments so far for the women.
“We are articulating to put in more women.
“I headed the policy department of the campaign.
“This was discussed.
“We went the way of adopting the Beijing affirmation.
“But is that enough or the solution?
“Politics needs to develop a policy that engages women and benefit them.
“If we look at the way our politics is structured, women do not fit in.
“Critical meetings held at midnight when women, based on our culture are not supposed to be seen outside.
“They are either termed prostitutes or if married talked into having to be at home to take care of their families.
“And yet, critical decisions in politics are taken at about 2am, 3am.
“I remember as Governor of Ekiti State, party leaders fought me over the decision to have more women in the House of Assembly.
“We were able to get four in.
“Not that this was impressive.
“But it was better than may be the one that usually gets into the House before them.
“And this is out of 26.
“I equally put in place an Equal Opportunities Act.”
Fayemi said the Buhari administration will make conscious efforts to get more women involved in governance.
The Excellence in Leadership Conference, put together annually by Daystar Christian Centre, will end on Friday.
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