Governor Akeredolu attacked by Ondo women's groups for only naming two female commissioners

WOMEN'S groups have severely criticised Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State after he sent his list of cabinet nominees to the state house of assembly and only two of the 18 commissioners on his list were female.

Sworn-in to office in February, Governor Akeredolu has spent the last six months putting together his cabinet and earlier this week he finalised his list.  However, women's groups in the state faulted the list, saying the governor was biased for not including many females in his cabinet.

On Tuesday, Governor Akeredolu sent the names of the nominees to the Ondo State House of Assembly for confirmation. Immediately the list became public, the  Ondo State Women Must Count group kicked against the development, saying women were being marginalised by the governor.

Mrs Olamide Falana, the group's spokesman complained that the inclusion of just two women out of 18 commissioner-nominees was unacceptable. She also faulted the lopsidedness in the previous appointments made by the governor, saying Governor Akeredolu is merely paying lip service to issues of gender parity promised in his manifesto.

“We express our displeasure and find unacceptable the recent list of commissioner-nominees submitted by Governor Akeredolu to the state house of assembly for screening. The said list shows a total disregard to the yearnings of the women of the state

"Women hitherto had very high hopes of a better representation in numbers in the leadership of the state, especially with the new thinking the governor professed. We demand the 35% affirmative action in all government appointments.”

However, Governor Akeredolu's spokesman. Segun Ajiboye, said the governor is a true democrat who recognises the role played by the women during the election period and will never maginalise them. He added that women will still get more appointments and it is important that they exercise patience and continue to support the governor in the task of moving the state forward.