APC Women Reject Beta Edu as National Leader, Tell Tinubu She Doesn’t Represent Them

*Pass Vote of No Confidence
By Halimah Olamide
There is trouble for the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as all officers and Zonal Women Leaders have expressed said she no longer represent their interest.
Condemning Edu, the women expressed dissatisfaction with her leadership saying they have unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on her.
In a letter addressed to the President which was made available to journalist in Abuja, they told the President her recent visit was in her private capacity and not on behalf of the women.
The letter was signed by Hon. Omorede Osifo, APC Deputy National Treasurer; Hon. Olubunmi Oriniowo, APC National Ex-Officio South-West; Hon. Oluwatoyin Opawoye, APC National Ex-Officio North-Central, Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, APC Zonal Women leader North Central; Mrs Yetunde Shakirat Adesanya, APC Zonal Women leader South-West; Hon Mimi Uchenna Diyiokeh, APC Zonal Women leader South-East; Hon Zainab A. Alman, APC Zonal Women leader North East, Mrs Cynthia Princewill; APC Zonal Women leader South-South, and Hajia Hadiza Ahmad Shagari, APC Zonal Women leader North-West.
Extending their congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shattima, on their victory in the last presidential election, the women commended Nigerians for expressing their belief and conviction in the elected leaders.
They also said the mandate given to them in accordance with the constitution and democratic principles.
Expressing their joy and admiration for the President’s early initiatives, they acknowledged the transformative leadership drive exhibited by President Tinubu, which aims to restore Nigeria to its rightful position in the global community.
However, the female APC leaders swiftly shifted their focus to the issue at hand – the misrepresentation and self-aggrandizement of Dr Edu during her visit to the Presidential Villa on July 13th, 2023.
The leaders unequivocally stated that Edu does not represent the elected National Women Officials and Zonal Women Leaders of the party, contrary to reports circulating in the media. They emphasized their lack of awareness regarding her Presidential visit, stating that no prior information or notification was provided to them, the women she claimed to represent.
Expressing their concerns, the female leaders found it distressing that division and exclusion in representation were already being experienced within the women leadership of the party at this early stage of President Tinubu’s administration.
They cited Dr Betta Edu’s lack of synergy with her colleagues, both the National Women Officials and the Zonal Women Leaders, as evidence of her failure in managing the affairs of women in the party.
During the election campaign, the female leaders recounted their individual efforts in mobilizing support for the party in their respective states.
They highlighted their personal contributions of funds and resources, emphasizing their commitment to the success of President Tinubu’s vision for a renewed hope in Nigeria.
The leaders also raised concerns about the authenticity of the women presented by Dr Betta Edu during her visit to the President.
They asserted that many of the women paraded were fake and not the democratically elected national officers, including National Executive Council Members, Zonal Women Leaders, three women senators, fifteen female House of Representatives members, and other relevant women leaders and stakeholders.
In light of these issues, the elected female National APC officers and Zonal Women Leaders collectively rejected the leadership of Dr Betta Edu and passed a vote of no confidence on her and her representation.
They appealed to President Tinubu to use his authority to grant them an audience, expressing their concerns and seeking a resolution to the matter.
The elected National Female Executives and Zonal Women Leaders of the APC concluded their statement by thanking President Tinubu for his attention to this matter.