Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential standard-bearer, says he prefers working with Nigerian women, though there are elements of corruption but corruption more with men even.
Mr Obi’s running mate in the February 25 presidential race is not a woman despite his claim that he finds them more productive.
His opponents Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP also do not have a female running mate.
“I can say it without anything; women are more productive in Nigeria than men any day, any time. I worked with them when I was in the banking industry, they saved the bank. When they believe in anything they go for it,” stated the Labour Party candidate.
Mr Obi added, “I wish our men will do the same thing. And they (women) are less corrupt; they are easily satisfied with little. Men will just go on and on forgetting that it is public money they are taking. I am very sorry about that, men. I am one of you but I have to say the truth of what I observed.”
Mr Obi made the statement during Channels TV’s town hall meeting debate on Sunday night, answering a question on how he would increase women representation and participation in governance if elected president.
The former Anambra governor further promised that women would play a key role in his government if elected while recalling how his administration in Anambra was dominated by women.
“As governor, I was about to set up a ministry of men’s affairs because women took over. It is simple, go and verify. As governor of Anambra state, my chief of staff, the permanent secretary of Government House, the commissioner for finance, the accountant general, the head of service, the commissioner for youths and sports, the commissioner for education, the commissioner for local government were all women; they took over,” Mr Obi said.
Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari infamously derided Nigerian women when he said that his wife, Nigeria’s first lady’s place is in the kitchen and “the other room” (bedroom).
