Bukola Saraki is still in the business of talking politics. He hopped in a Twitter Space with Runi Oduala to let everyone know what the upcoming general election means for women and young people. Saraki also addressed the his role during the 8th Senate, why he left APC to PDP.
On Saturday, February 5, 2022, former senate president of Nigeria joined a Twitter spaces hosted by Rinu and Aisha Yesufu with speakers Dr Dipo and DJ Switch among others. He was first presented with a gender and equal opportunities in the Nigeria political system.
Rinu Oduala vs Bukola Saraki:
Rinu asked: “The Nigeria Senate has voted down the gender and equal opportunities view about three times. You were Senate President as well when this bill was voted down, also made a statement to a group of the parliamentarians or legislators in 2019 about the level of participation of women in politics in Nigeria. I’ve always made pledges, you know, closer to election time. Everybody knows that. But in your former position as a Senate President. What was done to modify the status quo between 2015 and 2019?”

Saraki answered:
“Between 2015 and 2019. We did carry out a lot of attempts bills that we pause to try and ensure we had better female representation. The particular bill, you talked about the genuine equality bill. So happens to be the bill that I would say. That was always said, I was my biggest regret in the 88 Senate because as you rightly said, it covers not only a political purposes. But also covers Financial inclusion as well, but I think it’s a manifestation of my determination to try to push you through that. It went three times. Normally when you build goes one and is rejected by practice. That’s it wasn’t coming to that session. It comes again. What had to go around to appeal and talk to a lot of people to see how we can get our dough to come across again. Unfortunately, it is it not pass, but by a lot of things like sexual harassment, in tertiary institutions, to protect safety of women, the Electoral actual electronic 20 2010. The amendment to ensure participation of women in the party’s violence to try and make it safer one. Of course, one of the problems we find in gender participation and a female physician. Is it shows safety the violence that we see? So, there was in the building.”
“Passed in 2010, 2016. Is that some like that when we pass the amendment was to try to ensure that elections were safer for women and ensure that parties? Also made an extra effort to ensure that women had a role to play in the political parties. So we did that. We also looked at social safety. Bill that again, also is to ensure that women had better rights pet opportunities. That is well past or fortunately, did not get past. So there was a lot In the 8th, the eighth obscenity constitutional amendment was also an attempt to reach. Unfortunately, did not pass when you look at it. You see that one has to also understand that a lot of people in the National Assembly are representing different constituencies, different backgrounds, different cultures, and it’s a lot of work and that’s why I’m so excited. Yet today because it’s today that we’ll begin the work for the kind of National Assembly that we will have in the future. You know, sometimes you look at the National Assembly and think why they do not pass this? You can or you can immediately come to a conclusion based on the composition of the right kind of people going to the National Assembly. And that’s why I’m so Keen that we should start. The discussion that we ensure that women, participate more, not only at election particular, political parties have come. Sensations. And we do it will make reckon a lot of effort to ensure that there’s a fair representation. Once we get that then it also makes it much easier for some of those laws that we need to do that way. Ensure fairness and proper representation.”
Rinu asked: “Talking about the pledge you made in 2018, that more women be allowed to run for office in 2023. If you are in the position, Would you advise men to step aside and let a woman run in the office?”
Saraki answered:
“I don’t think it’s about one stepping down for the other or what I think. And I agree about is that there must be an intentional approach to ensuring that women were represented. The population is split almost 50/50. So, where you are having men in the National Assembly accounting for 80/87 percent properly. Then definitely that That is not a good representation of what the future holds. So, I would work to ensure that. We have in our parties. For example, to see that in the political processes and the primaries, we must make room to ensure that women are allowed to represent us whether it’s a selective or whether it’s appointed position. I must ensure that we do that. So in doing that, I don’t think it’s about one step. Not the other. I think it’s about one Making room. I think it will just happen, if we allow the process to continue, so you’re right and send that with men or leaders. And that’s where I stand. Let’s be fair. I think the society by and large in all the different structures in society, who could the years has not led to that, and I think modern and Progressive leaders today. This is what we need to be doing. We need to deliberately say, National Assembly House of reps. How many members do we have and work towards it? We can do that one, too. When we get to a point where we cannot. Amend the laws, but I think as Leaders politically, we can decide on what to do. Yes, leaders can, but we need to follow us. And, and that is why this kind of conversation tonight is so important. So I agree with you that I’ll call it not replace make room for them.”
Rinu asked: “Should zoning matter when it comes to selecting leaders in Nigeria?”
Saraki answered:
“I think you need to know, we need to go back to what led to the bringing of zoning as at the initial stage. If you remember, it was our party in 1999, following June 12th. To balance those issues, to show fairness. That was the driving factor at that time. That was 1999, we’re now in 2022. I’m sure zoning is still a Factor now as well. We’ve seen what the country looks like. When you don’t have good leadership. We see the importance of leadership because we put our capacity, so it is A factor, but my view is not, the only Factor you must. Look at all the issues that are important when we are together in this country. People are talking about experiences within the last number of years. This is the quality of leadership. So important that you can’t just, you know, just think Zone. So neither, can you discard it. Is not the only similar factor that you must consider particularly where the country is today. Because the country as you know, if you look at the level of insecurity the decisions, the country, you look at the economy, particularly the economy, and security issues. Those are, those are issues that are challenges that require particular, qualities of leadership to take us out of that. And I think that those are some of the things that I also. Don’t forget the topic we’re talking about now. Also, just an issue of gender, so the many issues, can you go to consider now when we talk about offices“
Rinu asked again: “Did you say yes, it should matter?”
Saraki Answered:
“Yes, I said it. I said it doesn’t matter but you can’t take it in isolation. It can’t be the singular issue that decides what your decision is. As a point. I make it their several films in the basket that you look at. That’s the point in 1999. It was just a single item that was taken. If you remember in 1999. It was just taking a look with zoned with Where will Zone to one particular part and that’s it, but now in 2022 point, I’m saying, is that the only things we need to look at in deciding.”
Rinu asked: “First conversation about you coming on the space, many say that you’re played a prominent role in the prevention of the election of the president Good Luck Jonathan because he allegedly violated the zoning principle in 2015. So I mean it has been reported that many are contesting for the 2023 elections and they are from the part of the country. That should not be contested. So don’t you think that it’s the Negation of this zoning agreement?. So which you know, the former president Good Luck Jonathan was cascaded. I mean, I think then it was about threatening the unity and the survival of the country and all of that. Don’t you think that the zoning principle it’s been violated right now, you know with some candidates that are claiming to Aspire for president?”
Saraki replied:
“The guidelines are set by the party, I’m not aware that my party set any guidelines specifically today. As far as the parties are concerned today The particular position of the president is open to all aspirin across the country. So there’s nothing at the moment that says anything different to that position of the party, I don’t know about the other party, and I don’t think of the party to has come up with the zoning position as of today, but my party, for example, has clearly said that you know, the position is open to all aspects. So as of today, I don’t think that anything or any action is done against that“
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