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Ex-Presidents’ wives lament disrespect after husbands’ tenure
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Wives of former presidents of African countries have lamented that they suffer systemic neglect, find themselves abandoned, stripped of their resources and dignity and relegated to obscurity after their husbands leave office or pass away.
The ex-presidents’ wives rendered these lamentations when they converged on Conakry, Republic of Guinea, for a conference aimed at having a formidable Former Presidents’ Wives Coalition.
From one former President’s wife to the others who spoke, it was similar tales of struggle and loss that they suffered, attributing it to a systemic issue that required urgent attention.
Championing the cause, Andre Toure, widow of Guinea’s late President Sekou Toure, said the coalition aimed to revive the aspirations of former Presidents’ wives and ensure they do not fade into oblivion after their public service.
“The coalition is to challenge the stigma and neglect faced by former Presidents’ wives, advocating their dignity and respect in society; to create a historical narrative that honours their contributions by establishing a museum dedicated to their lives and legacies, thus ensuring their stories are documented and remembered,” Toure said in a statement made available to The PUNCH.
Toure said the coalition’s vision is shared by former Presidents’ wives, Fatmata Momoh (Sierra Leone); and Isabel Vieira (Guinea-Bissau).
“We are here to combat the unfortunate reality that many former Presidents’ wives face after their husbands leave office.
“These women, who once held esteemed positions, often find themselves abandoned, stripped of their resources and dignity, and relegated to obscurity.
We are united by our shared experiences and our commitment to change this narrative.
“We are not just figures from the past; we have played significant roles in our nation’s histories, and we deserve recognition and respect. But, we are treated with indifference and disrespect after our husbands’ political careers end,” Toure said.
The tales of the struggle and loss of the widow of late President Samuel Kedo were also relayed at the conference.
Though she noted that the coalition’s impact waned over time due to disappointments and lack of sustained commitment from potential allies, she said the former Presidents’ wives were now dedicated to empowering their members and advocating for their rights.
As part of the efforts, Toure said the coalition would embark on a tour across various African nations, introducing their initiative to other former Presidents’ wives and seeking support from international partners.
She said, “The coalition’s mission is not only about advocacy; it’s a call for international partners, governments, and civil society to recognise the vital roles these women have played and to support their initiatives aimed at creating a more equitable and dignified existence for former Presidents’ wives across Africa.
“Their journey is a collective effort to reshape the narrative around women in leadership roles and to ensure that the sacrifices and contributions of these women are honoured and preserved for future generations.”
Credit: PUNCH
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the remaining days of the Continuous Voter Registration, warning that the registration window will close on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
In a public notice issued on its X handle on Saturday, the electoral body reminded prospective voters that they could complete their registration online from start to finish through its dedicated CVR portal or visit designated registration centres nationwide for physical assistance.
“Your future won’t wait. Neither should you. The Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise ends Sunday, 26 July 2026,” the commission said.
INEC encouraged Nigerians who require assistance to visit any of its state offices, local government area offices, or designated registration centres to complete the process in person.
The commission also stated that all registration centres would remain open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until the exercise ends.
“You can complete your voter registration online from start to finish via http://cvr.inecnigeria.org. If you need assistance, visit any INEC State Office, LGA Office, or designated registration centre to complete your registration in person,” the commission added.
The CVR exercise is part of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections. It enables eligible Nigerians and those seeking to update their voter information to be included in the national register of voters.
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has questioned why no government official has visited Boko Haram terrorists and bandits to negotiate an end to their violence, the way past leaders engaged Niger Delta militants.
He made the comparison in a Facebook post on Saturday, recalling how former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo both visited militants in the creeks to broker peace.
Gumi noted that both leaders, at different times, went into the creeks to meet militants and returned with programmes designed to end militancy in the region.
“The former President Jonathan visited Delta militants in the creeks, so also the former Vice President Osinbajo. They all came up with a program to tame the militants,” he wrote.
The cleric then asked who would extend similar engagement to Boko Haram and bandits terrorising parts of northern Nigeria without facing public backlash.
“Who is going to visit BH and Bandits to tame them without fools castigating them?” he asked.
Gumi has for years positioned himself as an advocate for dialogue with armed groups in the North-West and North-East, repeatedly visiting bandit camps in Zamfara and other states to hear their grievances.
He has consistently argued that negotiation, rather than military force, worked to end militancy in the Niger Delta and should be replicated in the North.
The cleric’s interventions have drawn both support and criticism. While some Nigerians accuse him of legitimising armed groups responsible for kidnapping, killings and cattle rustling, others credit his engagements with securing the release of kidnap victims.
The retired military officer has repeatedly denied backing terrorism, insisting his advocacy is aimed solely at ending the bloodshed through dialogue and rehabilitation.
The Niger Delta amnesty programme, launched in 2009 under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and sustained by Jonathan, saw thousands of militants disarmed in exchange for training, stipends and reintegration support. The programme significantly reduced attacks on oil infrastructure in the region.
Jonathan first waded into the Niger Delta crisis in 2007 as vice-president, entering the creeks without an armed detail to meet ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as _Tompolo_, in Warri, Delta State.
He later said the meeting laid the groundwork for the amnesty programme granted to militants, which remains in place today.
Osinbajo similarly toured Niger Delta communities as acting president in 2017, engaging militants and traditional leaders directly.
He justified the outreach by arguing that those in the creeks were citizens with genuine grievances, not merely security threats.
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L-R: Managing Director, Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Mr Eniye Oweifie; Chairman, Obio-Akpor LGA, Dr Gift Worlu; Director Medical Services/Ag. Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu; Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor, Rivers State, Prof Ngozi Odu, during the groundbreaking/ foundation laying ceremony of the Riven Medical Industries Project at Rumuosi, Port Harcourt last Wednesday.
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