...Women’s representation remains below global average ahead of 2027 polls
…Several prominent female aspirants lose out in APC senatorial primaries
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has produced only three female senatorial candidates from the 99 senatorial districts where primaries have so far been concluded ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite renewed advocacy for the implementation of the 35 per cent affirmative action policy for women in politics.
Out of the 109 senatorial districts across the country, the APC has so far completed and announced candidates for 99 districts, while 10 primaries remain pending, inconclusive, or yet to be officially released.
The three female candidates who secured the party’s tickets are Idiat Adebule for Lagos West, Ngozi Kene-Chiedu for Anambra Central, and Muheebah Dankaka for Kwara South.
The outcome has again raised concerns among gender advocates over the low participation of women in elective positions, despite repeated commitments by political parties to promote inclusiveness.
Adebule, who currently represents Lagos West in the Senate and previously served as deputy governor of Lagos State, emerged as the APC consensus candidate after receiving the endorsement of party leaders, including members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC). She remains one of the few women currently serving in the National Assembly.
In Kwara South, Dankaka, former chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), pulled a major upset by defeating the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Lola Ashiru, to secure the APC ticket.
Similarly, Kene-Chiedu emerged as the APC candidate for Anambra Central, becoming the party’s only female senatorial flagbearer in the South-East zone.
However, several notable female aspirants suffered setbacks during the primaries.
Ipalibo Banigo, the senator representing Rivers West and former deputy governor of Rivers State, was disqualified from the APC senatorial primary. Banigo has since vowed to challenge the decision after the party cleared Felix Obuah for the ticket.
Also unsuccessful was Amina Ibrahim, a former APC national women leader aspirant, who lost the senatorial primary in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Former senator representing Adamawa South, Folashade Grace Bent, also failed to secure the APC ticket in her district.
Other female politicians who lost their bids include Nkechi Nwogu in Abia Central, and Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the deputy governor of Ogun State, who was reportedly disqualified from the contest.
Equally unsuccessful were Halima Zakari and Jumoke Akindele, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly.
Nigeria adopted the 35 per cent affirmative action principle through the National Gender Policy introduced in 2006 to encourage greater participation of women in governance and leadership. However, implementation of the policy has remained largely ineffective, with women still accounting for only a small percentage of elected public officials.
Advocates of women’s inclusion have repeatedly urged political parties to reserve more elective positions for women ahead of the 2027 elections.
In March 2026, female deputy governors across the country appealed to the APC leadership to reserve 35 per cent of elective positions for women, warning that female representation in elective offices remains between four and five per cent — among the lowest globally.
The deputy governors, in a letter addressed to APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, argued that increasing women’s participation would strengthen governance, broaden voter support, and project the party as progressive and inclusive.
Yilwatda had earlier assured members of the Forum of 2027 APC Female Aspirants’ Network (FAFAN) in Abuja that gender inclusion would remain a major focus of the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He noted that women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, stressing that their continued under-representation in governance weakens democratic ideals and inclusive leadership.
