Women’s Groups Implore Parties Against Excluding Female Aspirants Ahead Of 2027 Polls
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum, a coalition of women-led organisations has raised concerns over what it describes as the growing exclusion of women from Nigeria’s political space through party primaries, zoning arrangements and financial barriers.
The coalition, led by WOMANIFESTO alongside the Nigeria League of Women Voters, Women in Politics Forum, 100 Women Lobby Group, Women Collective Hub and The Electoral Hub, made the appeal in an open letter addressed to major political parties including the All Progressives Congress and People’s Democratic Party.
The groups alleged that many qualified female aspirants are being sidelined before party primaries through consensus arrangements, high nomination fees and pressure to step down for preferred male candidates.
According to the coalition, such practices threaten the modest gains recorded in women’s political participation and could further reduce the already low number of women occupying elective offices across the country.
Describing political parties as the “gatekeepers of Nigeria’s democracy,” the coalition called for transparent and violence-free primaries, gender quotas within party structures, reduced nomination fees for women, and stronger authority for National Women Leaders in decision-making processes.
The organisations also urged parties to prevent the misuse of zoning and consensus arrangements to unfairly exclude women from contesting elective positions.
They stressed that women must not only emerge as candidates but should also be given equal visibility, support and opportunities to engage voters ahead of the elections.
The coalition maintained that inclusive governance remains critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and advancing national development, urging political parties to act decisively before the 2027 electoral process fully begins.
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