By Chinedu Sabastine
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the South-East Zonal Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Oby Ajih, has called on state governors and key political stakeholders to create more opportunities for women to contest elective positions across the region.
Dr. Ajih made the appeal during a one-day workshop organized by her office in collaboration with the South-East chapter of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) in Enugu.
She emphasized the need for inclusive governance, urging political leaders to support women’s participation beyond symbolic gestures.
“As party primaries and the 2027 elections approach, it is important to keep women aspirants informed about the barriers in the political space and how to overcome them,” she said.
“We are advocating inclusive governance at all levels. Women should be given opportunities to occupy both elective and appointive positions. Beyond reserved seats, governors, including our amiable Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah should take deliberate steps to support women in 2027.”
Dr. Ajih described women in the South-East as highly capable and results-driven, noting that they have consistently demonstrated competence when given leadership roles.
She lamented that since the return of democratic rule in Nigeria, women have not received fair representation in political offices.
According to her, the workshop, themed “Breaking Barriers: Promoting Women Participation in Politics and Supporting Good Governance,” was designed to equip women with knowledge of political challenges and strategies to overcome them.
“There are barriers against women in politics, but they are not insurmountable. As APC Zonal Woman Leader, we are committed to supporting and encouraging women contesting in 2027,” she added.
Dr. Ajih further noted that NILOWV is a non-partisan platform open to women across all political parties, including APC, PDP, Labour Party, and ADC, united by a shared goal of promoting good governance.
She also urged party leaders to ensure that female aspirants are given fair access to party tickets during primaries.
“It is time for men to support women, not just during campaigns but in securing party nominations. Women must also support one another in the political process,” she stressed.
She assured that her office and partner organizations would provide full support to all women contesting elective positions in the South-East, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity.
In her goodwill message, the Abia State Chairperson of NILOWV and a 2027 senatorial aspirant, Dr. Blessing Nwagba, said the workshop aimed to empower women to actively participate in politics and overcome self-doubt.
She identified key challenges facing women in politics, including:
Restrictive practices by party gatekeepers, high campaign costs,
electoral violence targeting women,
proposing solutions such as:
Implementing a minimum of 35% representation for women in elective and appointive positions.
Others are, Financial support for female candidates by political parties, passage of the reserved seats bill currently before the National Assembly and strong enforcement of laws against political violence.
She encouraged women to remain persistent and united in advocating for greater inclusion in Nigeria’s political landscape.
