Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has urged northern women to seek political offices through active participation in the nation’s electoral process, stressing that he takes women’s matters seriously.

Mr Matawalle made the call while receiving the national president of Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, Rabi Saulawa, at the Government House, Gusau, on Tuesday.

The governor said women always accused male politicians of marginalisation when they did not participate in active politics by seeking political offices through election.

“Your organisation is said to be non-political, but you have to allow and encourage your members to participate actively in politics (and) win (the) confidence of the electorate. Through that, you get acceptance from the establishment and the electorate,” the Zamfara governor explained.

On Monday, first lady Aisha Buhari excoriated her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari APC regime’s “progressive” discrimination against women participating in the country’s governance at local, state and federal levels.

But Mr Matawalle said, “In Zamfara state, we take the issue of women and girl-child serious; that is why today we have three women as commissioners, six special advisers and several directors-general and senior special and special assistants.”

The Zamfara governor further stated that his administration appointed 46 women among caretaker council members across the 14 local government areas of the state. He promised to continue working towards women’s inclusiveness in politics and governance of Zamfara.

Ms Saulawa commended the governor for salvaging women and children caught in the web of banditry in Zamfara.

She, however, called for expanded opportunities for women to participate in politics and governance in the state.

(NAN)