By Prosper Mene
A coalition of women’s groups from Nigeria’s North Central region has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to uphold and advance the rights of women in politics. The appeal, made during a press conference in Abuja, highlights the urgent need for policies and reforms to ensure greater female representation and participation in the country’s political landscape.
The group, comprising women leaders, activists, and professionals from Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, emphasized that women in the region have been historically underrepresented in political leadership despite their significant contributions to grassroots mobilization and community development. They urged President Tinubu to prioritize gender-inclusive policies to address systemic barriers that limit women’s access to political offices.
“We call on President Tinubu to honor his commitment to national unity by ensuring women’s voices are not only heard but amplified in Nigeria’s political sphere,” said Mrs. Esther Aondowase, spokesperson for the coalition. “Women in the North Central region are ready to lead, but we need deliberate support to break the glass ceiling in politics.”
The coalition specifically demanded the implementation of affirmative action policies, including quotas for women in political appointments and party candidacy lists, as well as increased funding for women-led political campaigns. They also called for stronger legal protections against gender-based discrimination and violence targeting women in politics.
Citing the recent appointment of Bianca Ojukwu and other women to Tinubu’s cabinet as a positive step, the group expressed hope that the administration would build on this momentum to create a more equitable political environment. However, they stressed that more comprehensive measures are needed to address deep-rooted challenges.
The women also referenced the region’s broader push for political inclusion, noting that North Central stakeholders have previously demanded greater representation in national leadership, including the presidency in 2027. They argued that advancing women’s political rights aligns with the region’s quest for equity and could strengthen Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The coalition concluded by urging the President to engage with women’s groups across Nigeria to develop a national strategy for gender parity in politics, emphasizing that empowering women is critical to the nation’s democratic and economic progress.
